Irina smoothed the leopard cubs’ fur so that they could be better dried by the fire. She then reached out for the little snake.

“Come over and take a seat. The fire won’t be darting about anymore.” Irina coaxed softly.

The little snake walked over to her side hesitantly, sitting next to her.

Sensing the fire’s temperature, the little snake moved behind Irina, his pair of long and skinny arms tightly circling around her waist, behaving very close to her.

Irina patted his back, her heart aching for him. Only then did she get the feeling that the little snake was her child.

The leopard cubs felt unhappy. They imitated...