Tom lay asleep under the oak near the lake. Suddenly, he heard a loud groan and opened his eyes. A little afar lay a huge serpent, bleeding from a wound in the head. Tom felt sorry for the poor serpent, and quickly washed and bandaged its wound with the help of his handkerchief. A few minutes later, he heard a voice. “You have been very kind.” Tom was shocked. It was the serpent talking. “I am a lake serpent. Would you like to see my home below the lake?” asked the serpent. “How will I breathe?” asked Tom. “You will see,” said the serpent. The serpent led Tom on his back. Miraculously, as soon as he was under water, Tom could still breathe. Finally, they reached the land of the serpent. It had beautiful gardens and huge orchards. At the serpent’s house, his family had prepared a great feast for Tom. When it was time to leave, Tom was sorry to go.
The Lake Serpent
