Defeat Of The Green Eyed Serpent

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Jaffa the dream merchant lived high on a hill . His hut overlooked
all the land of Nod not that Jaffa ever got the chance to admire the
view . He was much too busy . Everyday trucks came and went from Jaffas
place bringing boxes of his sleepwear to everyone in the land of Nod .
Jaffa had perfected the colours schemes that brought sweet and peaceful
dreams to all those who wore this dream clothes . Jaffa never shared
the secret of how he mixed up the colours and dyes . Dreams where big
business now and Jaffas nightwear were in constant demand .

One evening Jaffa had placed the last of his garments into boxes and
left them stacked up out the front for Tom to pick up . Tom had some
trouble on the road with his truck and was running a little late
.

When Jaffa heard the knock at his door he thought it was Tom and when
he opened it up , it was too late to do anything , the Green Eyed
Serpent from Caverock had coiled itself around and around Jaffa and
slithered away down the road to the Yellow Sea .

When Tom finally got to Jaffas place he was just in time to see the
Serpent with Jaffa in his grip slide into the sea and make its way to
Caverock .

Right away Tom went into the town centre and called for a meeting
at
The village green .
All the people of Nod gathered there and listened to what Tom had to
say .When he told them about what he had seen and how they had to
rescue Jaffa . Some of the Nod folk where not really sure what to do
.
"Don't worry. "
said Tom .
"I have a plan"

"The thing is Tom we have our families to think of. " A timid voice
said .

"Don't be like that "
Said Tom .
"Jaffa has worked hard all his life to bring you and your families
dreams and peaceful sleeps . The least we could do for him is show him
we care too . Come on , who is coming with me across the Yellow Sea .
Show your courage now and raise up your hands ."

Olac's tiny voice broke the silence .

"The ferry has been sunk Tom. How can we cross the sea ?"
.
"Some of us can swim . Its not that far to Caverock ."
Tom replied .

There was a tension in the air .Tom looked around at all the faces
filled with fear .
He took out a scrap of Jaffas magic cloth and taking a box of matches
from his pocket he set it on fire before them .
The flames rushed up from the cloth .

Tom continued,

"Listen .The serpent cannot stand fire . All we have to do is dig a
large hole and fill it with wood then draw the serpent to it and throw
lit torches into the pit . It will work . I know it , but I can't do it
alone . Now who will help ?"

"I have a boat."
Said Tora .

"Me too"
said Ry .

"Right then what are we waiting for, lets go." Said Tom .

The two boats were carried from sheds near the water and a group of men
from Nod loaded in some spades and other tools . With a last look at
their loved ones the men got in and started to paddle . In a short
while they reached Caverock . They tied up the boats and stood their on
the sand .

"Well now Tom what do we do "
Asked Naffy.

"Follow me "
Said Tom .

He led them from the sand to a grassy place near the entrance to the
Green Eyed Serpents Cave .
The he said ,
"Everyone start digging here . The hole has to be deep and wide . Then
fill it with kindle and driftwood . Then place over the top of the pit
a blanket of long palm's and scrub leaves . Make the blanket as natural
as possible to hide the hole. I will start cutting down some branches
and tying scraps of cloth dipped in paraffin These will be our torches
. The rest of the paraffin will be thrown into the pit ."

A few hours passed and the work was finished . Now it was time for
action .

Tom spoke again ,
"I'm going in to the Cave to draw out the Serpent when he comes after
me I'm going to run this way jumping over the hole . If the Serpent
follows and falls into the pit , light your torches throw them in . So
make yourselves invisible ."

Then he went up to the Cave and started to torment the Serpent by
shouting aloud .

"Hey Cross Eyes . What's happening ? Has the fork got your tongue or
something . Come on yellow belly , are you a snake or a chicken."

Tom began to bang and hammer a hollow bamboo trunk . The pitch of that
noise was enough to bring out the Green Eyed Serpent who went after Tom
.
Over rocks and craggy edges Tom ran like the wind with the Serpent
behind .
When Tom reached the place where the trap was he took a huge leap over
the blanket and as snakes don't jump it fell in . All the men from Nod
rushed to throw light their torches and one by one they threw them into
the pit .
Flames engulfed the serpent who was cooked like a dinner in an instant
.
Everyone danced and sang .
Their victory was sweet .
Tom went back into the cave and found Jaffa who seemed to be tied up or
in the tangles of a strange web like material .
Jaffa was so happy to see everyone .
As they were cutting away the ties that bound him Jaffa said ,

" The Green Eyed Serpent wanted me to make him a suit of colours that
would bring him the dreams from the children of Nod."

" Don't worry Jaffa The serpent is dead . Lets get home ."
Said Tom .

Jaffa wiped away the tears from his eyes and said ,

'I am so grateful that you rescued me that I will make you all a
promise . You and your families will never have to pay for any garments
I make. "

The dream merchant lived for a long long time and he passed on the
secret magic of how he made his dream colours .
Now in Nod and even as far away as Fairyland they are spinning yarns
and yarns of material which after they have been soaked in Jaffas dream
colours . are sent out all over the world . Everyone now is able to
share a special dream because of the brave men from the Land of Nod
.

The End
By Paul McCann