The Cobra on the Roof the Official Quarters

Since politics is not interesting, I would insinuate this true story.

This story I have not stated here before.

I have agrophobia or fear of snakes which is long standing. 

I have even killed a tiny cobra under my bed with a ruler. I was only 3 years of age.

That would have been the reason for ongoing fear of snakes.

My first job as an Acting District Medical Officer was in Kegalle Province. It was called Undugoda Hospital and was occupied by JVP during 1973 insurrection.

The quarters was not occupied by a Resident Officer for a long time and was infested with lot of rats.

Low be hold!

A King Cobras did decide to reside on the roof of the quarters. It was not of  high roof but I could not locate its residential area after a week of inspection.This Cobra was very crafty and it did know where to hide. 

In the meantime, all the hospital staff said that this snake was nasty. Their plan was for me to commute daily from Kandy and without a car it was not a reasonable ploy.

I decided to stay put and bought a powerful torch. My bed was a high hospital bed. There was no problem at day time and this Cobra appears only after night, around 7PM.

I do a roof survey before alighting from the bed several times but never could locate the Cobra. 

The moment I step out of the bed I hear the noise of the Cobra alighting from the roof.

Now I know cobras do not hear but have a powerful proprioception up to 18 to 20 feet and they keep this distance by default and away from humans.

This is not true of young cobras and they are as poisonous as adults.

In the first few days I used to step across it's belly in the verandah.

I used to delay my exit from the verandah and then I see it crossing in front of me in the open yard.

This Cobra counted every step of me but never intended to harm me.

The Cobra was always ahead of me and never after.

After two weeks I settled down and hospital half knew I was not going to leave.

The hospital staff tried several other intimidatory tactics but all failed and a few of them got transferred out the hospital. 

That was the only way, the Superintendent of Health Service could keep me in the station.

It lasted only 7 months and I used to see this Cobra daily but never a hint of harm but cohabitation in real style with rat problem solved without rat poison.

I left the hospital, telling the staff never to harm this King Cobra.

During the latter stages of my life I have had several Cobra Episodes.

Now with the election campaign fully on we would see real Human Cobras in action twisting and turning lies after lies. 

Swallow them with care.

I was lucky to be seconded to the University from where I did not migrate except to Colombo General Hospital.

Then abroad.

Then Private Sector.

Then University again until retirement.