(2025-05-16) The Tale of the Snake

Details

Author:	Saaron
Summary:	In all the main cities, Kehda tells the Kaldorei Tale of the Snake, based on Vesyllah's previous letter.
Rating:	T for Teen

Dear Vesyllah,

Thank you for sharing this wonderful kaldorei folktale with me. Your culture is so rich and beautiful… I’m looking forward to sharing this little piece of it with everyone I know!..

See you very soon…

Your friend,
Kehda

—

In the streets of Stormwind, Ironforge, the Exodar, Dalaran, and Shattrath, an enthusiastic draenei shares a beautiful elven tale to those who wish to hear it. Pretty, ghostly blue and ethereal illusions accompany her in her storytelling.

“Gather around, gather around! I have a tale from the Kaldorei Empire, one told by my good friend Vesyllah, the kind priestess of Elune known for her heroics with the Cobalt Blade!

Long, long, long ago, millennia before the Sundering, there was a meeting of the druids and Wild Gods, heralds of each animal family of Azeroth.

‘Animals,’ the druids said. ‘Come, and listen to us because soon, it will be our turn to listen to you all.’

‘You are our guides, our masters, but we know nothing of you. Please, tell us, and with our eyes we’ll see your world anew!’

The lion stepped to the druids first, growling at the other animals.

‘Well, for certain, of bravery a symbol I’ll be,’ she said. ‘All beasts shall fear my roar, and from me, flee.’

Then, it was the bear’s turn, pushing through the crowd.

‘I am the symbol of endurance,’ he said, dozing off slightly. ‘All battles, for me, shall be as easy as a dance.’

The bird flew above the rest and dived towards the druids.

‘Of freedom, I am the star,’ sang the bird. ‘Higher and higher, I’ll rise, especially when you raise the bar.’

Animals came and went, all introducing themselves. Soon, only the snake was left, slithering to the druids.

‘See, when I bite my tail, infinity I become,” she hissed, turning into a perfect circle. ‘Isn’t this, for me, the perfect symbol?’

The druids looked between themselves, disappointed by the creature’s answer.

‘Our apologies, snake,’ they said, ‘The World tree is already our infinity. This symbol, you can’t take.’

They told the poor snake that, unfortunately, there was no meaning left for her to grab with her tail.

The snake God didn’t give up, no. She went home to find her new role in the animal kingdom. Pacing up and down the jungle’s tall trees, she kept wondering and wondering. She asked all the snakes that existed, exist, and would exist to help answer this conundrum. Until the solution came to her, oh so suddenly, and with her, all snakes agreed. They would have clapped, if they could have. Instead, they wiggled around, gleefully!

Slithering back to the druids, the snake spoke with confidence and poise.

‘My people will be the symbol of assuredness,’ she said. ‘My patience to strike and cold blood are no proof of less!’

The druids were stumped - ironic, for those whose eternity was a tree, I know! No one had claimed assuredness, assuredly. And after all, the snake did take the rejection from its role as eternity fairly well. That was proof that she was the right beast for the job.

Now, to the kaldorei, snakes are a sign of assuredness. A well-earned confidence and the patience to wait for the good you know is coming your way.

‘But Kehda!’ I hear you murmur. ‘What about the nagas and the druids of the fang? They were kaldorei, and now they’re snakes! Are you saying they’re cool?’

‘Aha! Of course not!’ I answer your whispers.

Are the nagas real snakes? No, elven they still stand.

What about the druids of the fang? Maybe, but it’s only temporary.

See, they changed, yes, but not fully! Because the snake’s assuredness, they don’t really possess. Inside, they know that they’ve gone down the wrong path. They’re filled with doubts and remorse that they hide behind those fake scales. They take up arms - literally - to hide their mistakes. Does that sound like assuredness to you? No. So, as shallow as their confidence is, their transformation is too.

Now, next time you see a snake, remember the lesson it gives you. Be confident in yourself, and good will come your way. But don’t wait too much, you don’t have eternity.”