so it goes like this

the earth has music for those who listen

Laughing at the kisses he receives from the snakes, Mateo's cheeks are dimpled and his blue eyes are filled with joy as Ever adds two muddy pawprints to the lopsided bird on his sweater. "Look, they're happy," he tells the puppy, offering out one of his new bangles so he might sniff at it, and if the hanging snake decides to become an accessory for the canine instead, Mateo will have no problem with it.

"Come on little snakes. We need to get you back in the trees where you belong." Rising up onto his tip toes, he tries to direct his crown to the nearest branch, wondering if all of the snakes might be able to slither to safety from his curls. "That's better than those worm things, right?" he tells Ever.