Taking another look at the rat snake, she saw it was only about the length of an arm—just a small snake.
Gripped in the monkey's hand, its body was curled into a terrified ball.
The little monkey said, "We asked him. He was slithering through the grass when our King's friend stepped on him. He got mad, so he secretly climbed up her leg and bit her on the hand."
Shen Ningning didn't know whether to laugh or cry when she heard the reason.
The animals in the mountain forest had drunk the Spiritual Spring Water and eaten fruit from the trees she provided. They had truly gained sentience. Even a small snake like this one acted so human.
Shen Ningning waved her hand. "Never mind. Just release it back into the forest."
The three little monkeys bounced around. "Our King is so kind-hearted!"
"We heard our King is getting married soon, so we've prepared lots of gifts. When the time comes, you must come back to the mountains to get them, Your Majesty."
