002 Old Trapper and The Ornery Snake

12/14/21 • 8 min

1 Listener

This week’s Tale of the Old Trapper is titled "Old Trapper and The Ornery Snake" by Shawn Henninger.

About Tales of the Old Trapper:

When I was a young boy maybe 5 6 or 7 My Grandfather would sit me down and tell me Tales of The Old Trapper. The Old Trapper was a man who lived many years before my grandfather was even born. The Old Trapper lived on the Land my grandfather had owned that we called the Old Place.

But, Before it was the Old Place it was called Home by the Old Trapper. This land is where he went on many adventures. Working with the woods for all the things he needed to food, clothing and shelter. The Old Trapper was not one for lavish things as he only lived in a single room log cabin he built himself. Through his adventures he learned many values that he passed on to the community and anyone who crossed his path through his journeys.

So join me as I re-tell the Tales of the Old Trapper just as my Grandfather told them when I was just a child.

Follow The Tales of the Old Trapper on Twitter @OldTrapperPod.

Email Tales of the Old Trapper at [email protected]

This Weeks Tale:

The early morning rain filled the Air with the glorious scent of spring. The Old Trapper walked out of his Cabin looking up at the rising sun ready for another day outside. The Old Trapper had a busy day in front of him as he needed to fix the small dam he made down stream, His garden needed to be tended to in preparation for the planting season, and he needed to finish picking the fresh blueberries he had found the day before.

The Old Trapper finished his breakfast which consisted of his last sip of coffee and a bite of toast. The Old Trapper put on his moccasins and headed towards the creek. The Old Trapper didn’t have a chance to look over the conditions of the Dam since winter and was not sure what all he needed to fix. The Dam was a good way to keep a nice watering hole for fishing. The Old Trapper got the idea from some Bevers that built their own dam there a few seasons ago, but they moved further downstream which is a tale for another day.

The Sun was rising quickly and the air began to warm up as the Old Trapper made his way to the Dam. As he approached he could see his watering hole was much shallower than before. Not sure how this could be as the snow melting and rain surly would have kept the Water Hole full. When he was within throwing distance of the Dam he was able to see what had happened.

Sitting on the last piece of wood holding what was left of the dam together was a big snake all curled up resting. The Tail of the snake was sitting just in the water as the Snake slept peacefully on the log. The Old Trapper has seen some of the biggest snakes this side of the Mississippi, but none as big as this one. The Old Trapper was not even sure that a snake would be out this early in the year.

The Old Trapper needed to get the snake away from the dam so he could get to work as this was one of his main tasks for the day. Now the Old Trapper was just as close to an expert on identifying snakes as any person could be, but he always told children to never approach a snake as some can be poisonous and if bitten could cause a lot of harm. From his experience the old saying of They Are more Scared of you then you are of them was typically true. This Snake however did not want to leave it’s comfortable log.

The Old Trapper found a long stick that he would use to help pursue the Snake to move on down stream. The Old Trapper was wanting to do his best to ensure that neither he nor the snake would get hurt. Plus both could benefit from fixing the Dam. A water hole would work well for The Old Trapper and the snake. The Snake had other plans, as the Old Trapper nudged the snake it slowly opened its eyes and just stared right at The Old Trapper, flicking its tongue a few times and then going back to sleep.

The Old Trapper stepped back and was even more curious about this Snake. Never in his life has he had a snake not react when being nudged by a stick. Some snakes slither away, some get upset, but none just stay put. The Old Trapper had another idea and thought he could shake the log and try to let the snake fall in the water and swim downstream. The Old Trapper put his foot on the edge a safe distance from the snake and bounced it up and down. Each bounce the log would move higher and higher but the snake just opened its eyes and the Old Trapper swore he saw it smile.

Frustrated, the Old Trapper jumped as high as he could and landed on the log, but slipped and fell right into the creek. The Water barley came up to the Old Trappers hips, but now he was sitting in chilly creek water staring at this snake. As the two locked eyes the Old Trapper was pretty sure he heard the Snake Laughing at him, but the Snake did not move and closed its eyes.

The O...

This week’s Tale of the Old Trapper is titled "Old Trapper and The Ornery Snake" by Shawn Henninger.

About Tales of the Old Trapper:

So join me as I re-tell the Tales of the Old Trapper just as my Grandfather told them when I was just a child.

Follow The Tales of the Old Trapper on Twitter @OldTrapperPod.

Email Tales of the Old Trapper at [email protected]

This Weeks Tale:

The O...

Previous Episode

001 Old Trapper and the Lost Snow Dog

1 Recommendations

This week’s Tale of the Old Trapper is titled "Old Trapper and The Lost Snow Dog" by Shawn Henninger.

About Tales of the Old Trapper:

So join me as I re-tell the Tales of the Old Trapper just as my Grandfather told them when I was just a child.

Follow The Tales of the Old Trapper on Twitter @OldTrapperPod.

Email Tales of the Old Trapper at [email protected]

This Week's Tale:

The Old Trapper lived in a single room cabin out in what is now known as the old american frontier. The Cabin was the Old Trapper’s home that he had built with his own two hands. Each winter he needed to be prepared for the harsh weather. To Prepare the Old Trapper would store food, cut wood for his fireplace, and prepare for the shorter days.

This time of year caused the Old Trapper to feel lonely as the shorter days made it difficult to meet with the other settlers. On this particular morning the Old Trapper walked out his front door and the wind blew a bit warmer than normal this time of year. So the Old Trapper thought that this would be a good day to gather some more wood and check if there were any fish further up the creek.

As the Old Trapper walked the trails and fields he had been down numerous times he allowed his mind to wonder. There was nothing more enjoyable to The Old Trapper than being out in the woods with nature. He watched as he saw a couple squirrels chasing each other around some trees. There was a bird flying down and gathering some leftover seeds. Out of the corner of his eye do you know what the Old Trapper Saw?

The Old Trapper caught the tail of a fox. Letting his curiosity get the best of him he slowed his pace and began to follow the fox through the woods.

The Old trapper lost track of time and didn’t realize that the temperature was getting colder and colder. The first few snowflakes that fell on the Old Trapper’s Head felt good as he had been walking for a while and he was getting a little warm. But soon it was impossible for The Old Trapper not to realize the ground was quickly getting covered with snow.

The Old Trapper knew he would need to get back as the wind had changed directions and the snow was quickly piling up. As he tightened his Deer Skin Jacket and turned around to begin walking back to his Cabin he saw in the distance a small animal.

The Old Trapper just expected it to be the Fox he had been tracking for the last hour or so, but it wasn’t moving like a Fox. In Fact it was not moving much at all. The Old Trapper had a decision to make. Should he go and see if the Animal in the distance was hurt and needed help or to Hurry back to his Cabin.

If you know the Old Trapper he is not one to leave an Animal out in the Cold, let alone leave an animal that may be hurt. As the Old Trapper got Closer to the Animal it was clear that it was a puppy dog. When it saw the Old Trapper it was scared and took off in the field.

The Old Trapper moved slowly towards the puppy doing his best to try and have it come to him. He reached into his leather pouch and pulled out some of his famous Jerky. Holding it out he was finally able to get the puppy to sit in front of him. Petting the puppy the Old Trapper knew he had to get him inside. The Old Trapper knew that he needed to get inside as the snow was now up to his knees and piling up faster and faster.

The Puppy quickly found a warm spot inside the Old Trappers Coat and after walking past the edge of the field The Old Trapper realized he was in trouble. The Snow was so deep that each step was like climbing over the biggest tree blocking a trail. The Old Trapper knew if he didn’t find shelter he and his puppy friend would be in for a cold night.

The Old Trapper thought for a moment and remembered passing an Old Cave not too far away. After climbing through the snow piles The Old Trapper and His puppy climbed through the snow and found themselves out of the Snow and in the Cave. The Old Trapper found Numerous sticks and brush in the Cave and made a little fire for him and The Puppy.

The Old Trapper pulled out his last bit of Jerky as the puppy sat by ...

Next Episode

003 Old Trapper and the Christmas Visitors

This week’s Tale of the Old Trapper is titled "Old Trapper and the Christmas Visitors" by Shawn Henninger.

About Tales of the Old Trapper:

So join me as I re-tell the Tales of the Old Trapper just as my Grandfather told them when I was just a child.

Follow The Tales of the Old Trapper on Twitter @OldTrapperPod.

Email Tales of the Old Trapper at [email protected]

This Weeks Tale:

The Old Trapper sat in front of the fireplace with a fresh cup of homemade eggnog. The cold snowy tundra outside was an afterthought as the Fire kept him warm. Hanging above the fireplace was one of The Old Trappers Socks waiting for a visitor to come down the chimney and fill it with goodies.

The Old Trapper loved this time of year and Christmas was tomorrow which was his favorite day. As a Child The Old Trapper would wake up and race to the tree his father and he had cut down hoping for presents. Now as he was older Christmas was time he typically spent by himself. Each year he had cut down a new christmas tree and decorated it with Popcorn on strings and homemade ornaments. Always placing the Star his mother made at the top. This year however The Old Trapper had a feeling he should get a bigger tree and place three presents underneath it.

Now the Old Trapper knew that it had been years since he had a visitor on Christmas Eve but he thought he should be prepared. The Fire crackled as the Old Trapper placed another log on the fire and poured himself the last of the Eggnog. The Thought popped up in the Old Trapper’s mind that maybe he should make more, but for who?

Just then a knock came on the door and startled the Old Trapper. Who on earth could be coming at this time of night? The Old Trapper walked to the Door and peaked out the window. Standing there was an older woman he had never seen before. She was bundled up and as she spoke The Old Trapper could see her breath in the air. “Please if anyone is home could I stay by the Fire for a moment? It’s rather cold out and I just need to rest and then I’ll be on my way”

The Old Trapper opened the door and welcomed the old woman into his home. He sat her by the fire and wrapped her in one of his blankets. As she sat down he could see her smile return as the Fire warmed her and her soul. The Old Trapper made more of his Famous Eggnog and brought her a fresh cup. “This is the most wonderful eggnog I’ve ever tasted. I thank you for letting me sit by your fire for a moment.” The Old Trapper looked upon the woman and she wore shoes that looked tattered but noticed she had no socks.

Old Trapper reached under the tree and pulled one of the Three presents. He gave it to the Old Woman who smiled with glee. “It’s been ages since I’ve received a present On Christmas Eve” She explained. As she opened the Present there was a new pair of wool socks the Old Trapper had swon. The Old Woman hugged the Old Trapper and put the socks on. After spending some more time with The Old Trapper the Old Woman said her goodbyes and went on her way.

The Old Trapper Looked down at the remaining presents under his tree there was once Three now only two. The Old Trapper reached into his cupboard and pulled out some fresh rolls he had baked earlier that day. The Rolls were a family recipe passed down from generations that were a special treat during this time of year. As he walked back towards the fire he heard a horse stopping just outfront of his home. The Old Trapper walked outside and noticed a Horse Man looking down at his Horses hoof.

The Old Trapper Bundled up with his warmest Deer Skin Jacket and met the man out in the Cold Winter air. The Man greeted the Old Trapper “I apologize for bothering you on this Christmas Eve, but My horse shoe fell off and she’s in need of some rest. I’m so far from town but if I could just get a place for my horse to rest I’ll be on my way as soon as I can.”

The Old Trapper led the Horse to his stable where it stood next to his Mule and Chickens that had roosted there for the evening. As the Horse Man and The Old Trapper went into the Cabin the Old Trapper offered him some of his HomeM...