Viper’s mom yelled up the stairs,” Viper, time for supper!”

“Coming,I’m reading; I need to finish this chapter,” said Viper.

“Another reptile book?” said Viper’s mom.

“Snakes around the world.” said Viper with enthusiasm.

“I learned about a snake in North Africa called a horned desert viper! I didn’t realize viper is a species,” said Viper. “I am attending a zoo program about snakes today at the zoo. I can’t wait! It’ll make me more knowledgeable about my job at the state park.”

“Don’t forget to pack your camping gear for this weekend,” said Viper’s mom.

“That’s right! How could I forget about that?” asked Viper.

“You’re a busy young man,” said Viper’s mom.

“Thanks mom. I’ll have time to pack after the program,” said Viper.

Viper enjoyed his day at the zoo and held some snakes. He packed all his camping gear when he arrived home.

Viper and his friends left for camping the next day. When they arrived, they set up tents and fished for their supper.

“This fish is delicious,” said Viper. They also had bug juice which is a mixture of many fruity drinks.

They stayed up until ten o’clock then headed to bed. Each person had a tent of their own.

At eleven in the evening a snake slithered slowly into camp. Viper, not quite asleep, heard a hissing sound, but ignored it thinking he was dreaming.

The next morning, bright and early, the sun barely shown and the campers heard,” Ahhhh! A snake is in my bed!” The snake lay sleeping curled quaintly at Viper’s feet. Viper knew to sit as still as possible until he identified it.

Viper’s friend Sam came to the rescue. “What can I do?”

“Nothing, it’s not venomous, but we don’t want to startle it; it’s an eastern hog nose snake. It may bite,” said Viper. Startled though he seemed; all was well. “I always loved snakes until I woke up with one in my bed.”