Christopher Bennett at times did an Aesop's fable type of thing where
he'd illustrate a point by mentioning a story from his past.  I think
we were discussing someone who tended to over-react to things and he told
me a tale.  Forgive me for changes wrought by alterations in memory:
 
One day, as a little child, Christopher got off the school bus and
began his trek up the muddy dirt road to his grandmother's house.  As
he wandered along the slippery road, being careful to not fall toward a
side because the road was bevelled and much higher in the center than
the sides, he worried because his grandmother's old hound, a venerable
grandame among canines, had not been there to greet him.  This sometimes
happened but it still concerned him.  As he walked he came upon her
tracks in a part of the road which was more muddy, and then as the road
became wetter still he noticed one track down the middle of the road.
A snake!  A HUGE snake was following the dog!  It was enormous, and must
be an escaped boa or python!  His steps became faster as he followed
the tracks till he was running with his concern for the dog.  Then the
road became too dry and he lost them.  Fast as he could he ran to his
grandmother's house, burst through the door and gasped out that the
dog was in danger from a snake.  His grandmother's face showed great
concern -- for Christopher -- as she pointed to where the dog lay
dozing with her muddy feet and matching muddy dragging belly.
 
So, when overwrought, people should remember that while it may be a snake
it may only be a muddy belly carving the track which so worries you.
 
This seemed an appropriate way to recall Christopher on the anniversary
of his passing.
[Posted in FML issue 4272]