Sally Slither's Snakes

A Tongue Twister Tale

by S.E. Schlosser

Sally Slithers moved to South Hall in September.

"Oh dear, there are too many mice here," she said. So Sally went to the pet store and bought a great big boa constrictor. She named her snake Sammy. Sammy's favorite place to sleep was in the bathroom, where he spent many hours munching on mice. Shortly after Sammy Slithers moved in to South Hall, all the mice moved out.

"I like snakes," said Sally Slithers. She went out and bought more boa constrictors.

One afternoon, several children who lived on Straight Street came to Sally Slither's house to see the snakes. "My mom hates snakes," said Saul Schultz Jr., "but she also hates mice. All the houses on Straight Street have mice. It's a real problem. Maybe we should adopt a snake too."

"That would be splendid," said Sally Slithers. She went out and bought some more snakes. Then Sally Slithers put up a sign saying: "Adopt‑a‑Snake! Perfect for catching mice."

"Merciful Heavens!" exclaimed Suzy Schultz when she read the sign. "Adopt‑a‑Snake! I would rather have the mice!"

Suzy Schultz called the police and complained about Sally Slither's snakes. A police officer stopped by South Hall and told Sally Slithers that an animal warden was coming to take her snakes away the next day.

"You have too many snakes," said the sergeant. "That is not safe."

Sally Slithers exclaimed: "I love my snakes. I don't want them taken away. I want them adopted."

When they heard that the animal warden was going to take away Sally's snakes, Saul Schultz Jr. and several school friends came to South Hall to offer their help.

"We will hide your snakes from the animal warden," they said. Each child on Straight Street took a snake home in their lunch box. Sally gave Sammy Slithers to Saul Schultz Jr to hide his house.

Early the next morning, screams could be heard