Save me from sun , and I will save you from rain , ' and she opened the pot , and when the snake had slipped in , she put on the cover . Soon she beheld another snake coming after the other one , and when it had reached her it stopped and said , ` Did you see a small grey snake pass this way just now ? ' ` Yes , ' she answered , ` it was going very quickly . ' ` Ah , I must hurry and catch it up , ' replied the second snake , and it hastened on . When it was out of sight , a voice from the pot said : ` Uncover me , ' and she lifted the lid , and the little grey snake slid rapidly to the ground . ' I am safe now , ' he said . ` But tell me , where are you going ? ' ' I can not tell you , for I do not know , ' she answered . ' I am just wandering in the wood . ' ` Follow me , and let us go home together , ' said the snake , and the girl followed his through the forest and along the green paths , till they came to a great lake , where they stopped to rest . ` The sun is hot , ' said the snake , ` and you have walked far . Take your baby and bathe in that cool place where the boughs of the tree stretch far over the water . ' ` Yes , I will , ' answered she , and they went in . The baby splashed and crowed with delight , and then he gave a spring and fell right in , down , down , down , and his mother could not find him , though she searched all among the reeds . Full of terror , she made her way back to the bank , and called to the snake , ` My baby is gone ! -- he is drowned , and never shall I see him again . ' ` Go in once more , ' said the snake , ` and feel everywhere , even among the trees that have their roots in the water , lest perhaps he may be held fast there . ' Swiftly she went back and felt everywhere with her whole hand , even putting her fingers into the tiniest crannies , where a crab could hardly have taken shelter . ` No , he is not here , ' she cried . ` How am I to live without him ? '
But the snake took no notice , and only answered , ` Put XXXXX your other arm too . '
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