The snake saw the opportunity right away. Far better to take a horse under a bridge than a mere man. They got out of the boat to look around.

They found a horse and the man sidled up to him, explaining that true horse romance could be found just a short boat ride away. The horse fell for it.

-- Come with me -- murmured the horse.

-- I cannot, the man said.

The horse gave him a magical plant instead. -- Remember me always, said the horse.

The snake slipped off the man and made for the horse. Poof! The horse crushed the snake's head with his hoof and the snake's brains squirted out on the pavement. Without brains, the snake fell in the water and was eaten by great spider crabs who chuckled as they ate.

But the horse stepped into the boat and it moved away from the shore.

A wind sprang up, and on the wind was the faintest sound of horses across the water. The horse turned his head into the wind.

On the shore, sorrow descended.

[gf]