AI interpretation of Black Snake approaching Chicken’s eggs. Animal and nest imagined; the earlier theft phase.
AI interpretation of Black Snake approaching Chicken’s eggs. Animal and nest imagined; the earlier theft phase.
Overview
In Phillip Martin’s telling, Black Snake watches Chicken’s nest and waits for her absences. He swallows eggs whole, then crushes them farther down his throat. Chicken first notices twelve eggs reduced to eleven; subsequent losses expose a thief who studies her movements rather than attacking openly.
Rooster suspects Black Snake because of his patience and appetite. With one egg left, Chicken and Rooster prepare a trap. The apparently familiar egg has been hard-boiled; it will not crush, lodges in the snake’s throat and kills him. Their counter-deception exploits the thief’s established habit.
Martin’s introduction identifies the included tales as collected in Liberia. It does not name this tale’s narrator or language. This profile therefore concerns the character in that retained version, not a supernatural snake species or all Liberian storytelling.
Origins & earliest records
Martin’s online witness credits a 1990 telling; the oral tale’s age is unspecified.
Records & interpretation
Complete indexed tale and introduction retained; direct page fetch failed.
Selected bibliography
Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.
- 01
Black Snake and the Eggs
Full online telling; website copyright 2000.
- 02
African Folk Tales: Introduction
Explicit collection attribution to Liberia.
Family & connections
A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.
References
Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.
- Collector’s published taleBlack Snake and the EggsResearch access: 2026-10-11
- Collector’s provenance statementAfrican Folk Tales: IntroductionResearch access: 2026-10-11
Image credits
AI-generated interpretationAI interpretation of Black Snake approaching Chicken’s eggs. Animal and nest imagined; the earlier theft phase.
AI interpretation of Black Snake approaching Chicken’s eggs. Animal and nest imagined; the earlier theft phase.