Michaelis School of Fine Art, Cape Town,1981

Snakes

Under this stone there could be a snake.
Never put your hand under a stone without looking.
Don’t pick up large, flat stones: there could be snakes.
Have you ever picked up a stone to see if there was a snake under it?
If you pick up stones to look for snakes you have to be very quick.
You stand as far away from the stone as possible.
You never put your hands under the stone.
You lift the stone very quickly and jump aside immediately.
The snake, if he is there, is as frightened as you are. You have a slight advantage though, as you knew you were about to lift the stone.
Since, however, you will be off balance when you lift the stone, standing as you are, as far away from the stone as possible, lifting and jumping aside almost at the same time, the snake being quicker, has ultimately the advantage over you.
The snake has nothing to lose.
Obviously a very dangerous game – a sort of South African roulette.

Lingen feb ’81