PSLE: Cobra

The morning breeze weaved through the gentle rustle of the leaves. It was recess and the children was having a whale of a time playing with their chums. Peals of laughter and light-hearted touts echoed all over.

“Let me join in the game!” Jamie, a girl with marble-black eyes, rushed over and asked.

“No way! You are a girl! Girls don't play with marbles!” replied John, her elder brother, who was a head taller.

“Please! Let me join you!” Jamie pleaded, with her hands clutching together tightly in a begging fashion.

“No! But you can watch if you want! Now, be quiet and watch!” John replied and resumed the game.

The excitement was sky high as John aimed carefully at a marble. Out of the blue, he heard a strange hissing sound. He perked his head for a quick scan, his forehead furrowing in puzzlement. What he saw stunned him immensely!

“Jamie, there... there... is a co...bra behind you!” John stammered.

The children's faces blanched in trepidation. The temperature suddenly dropped to sub-zero. Everybody froze in paramount fear and none dared to move a muscle. The deadly cobra inched towards Jamie. The poor girl's heart was in her mouth. A chill ran down her spine as her heart hammered hard against her ribs.

The insidious-looking snake hissed portentously and slithered nearer. A brainwave hit John's like a lightning bolt and he spoke sternly “Jamie, listen carefully to me! At the count of three, we will all run at once to the canteen and jump onto the table. Remember, NEVER look back! Do you understand?”

Jamie nodded timidly.

“One, two, three! RUN!” John yelled.

Amplified by their fear of the snake, the children sped off, screaming towards the canteen. Unfortunately, this incited the wrath of the snake. The sleek figure was on the offensive and it gave chase.

Luck was not on their side. The first child tripped over and the rest of them toppled on top of one another like dominoes. The malicious snake halted and bared its fangs, its eyes glinting with hostility. It then injected its venom into Jamie's leg!

Jamie screamed her guts out and burst into hot tears. She was coming face to face with the grim of death! This alerted a school cleaner who came running over, armed with a raking fork. The wary snake instantaneously slithered off instead.

Meanwhile, the wound on Jamie's leg was turning watery and purplish. Her leg was ballooning to double its size. “Jamie, please don't die. I promise to play marbles with you! I promise to give you all my marbles,” John sobbed in-between tears.

Jamie flashed a weak smile. Unfortunately, the hospital was too far away - Jamie died. No words of comfort could take away John's grief of losing his sister for good.