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]