Start the Observation
With a plan in hand, the workers carefully examined the snake slowly. They used long sticks to poke around the midsection of the snake, lightly, hence not startling the snake in advance. The aim was to try to find out what there might be inside without actually disturbing it; this way, they’d be safe plus the snake would too. The air was tense because everyone had his or her breath locked up and waiting for the snake to react.
To their relief, though, the snake remained still, motionless, showing no signs of aggression or alarm. So they pushed forward with a little more confidence, though the tension was palpable. Every time a stick brushed against the scales of the snake, the workers were braced for something to happen. And to think that the sight of the immense bulge added to the suspense, for it had become very obvious that they were dealing with something extraordinary.
Its belly was tight, but would relax when prodded, indicating that what was inside was big and substantial. The workers, knowing that they were about to dig out something different, shared a look of suspense with each other. The suspense was overpowering as well, and people thought of what was inside the snake as they waited to reveal a mystery.
