The Girl and the Garden Snakes

Maya adores her garden with its sunflowers and tomatoes, but one morning a slim green-brown snake appears under the leaves. Startled, she runs to the front gate, where she meets Rosa, a nature guide in a khaki shirt and sun hat. Rosa explains that most garden snakes are shy and harmless, and gives Maya a notebook and pencil so she can return and observe from behind a big stone.

Rosa teaches Maya how to watch snakes safely: staying still and quiet, keeping a safe distance, using binoculars, and never lifting a stone or log without looking first. Maya names the pale-striped snake Twig and the blotched grey-brown snake Pip, learning that they eat insects and slugs, hide in cool dark places, and shed their skin as they grow. As her notes and drawings grow, Maya's fear turns into curiosity, and she creates her own safe watching guide to share with friends. Written by Aysel Banu YAVUZAL, this tale can be read on Masal İzle.