Father Patrick reached down into his childhood store of knowledge and tried to think of something to save this village from. Meanwhile Sydney decided he couldn't just hide, they were in this together, so he wandered back over and gave cuddly bumpies to the Head Man's legs and ankles, to stall him from any more questions. Father Patrick needed the stall, he didn't want to launch into a sermon right away, he needed to convince these people he was worth listening to first.

About this time one of the children, who tended the herds, came rushing down the path, yelling out: "Quick! Quick! A serpent has bitten my brother! Now it's attacking the sheep!"

The Head Man led the way, with Father Patrick (who had scooped up Sydney to save him from being trampled by villagers) followed close behind.

When they reached the boy, he was already paralyzed from the snake's venom. Father Patrick knelt down and reviewed all the things one shouldn't do with snake bites. Then he couldn't think of anything to do. Alas, this wasn't going the way he'd planned.

Sydney remembered the Little Green Man's gift. He snatched the shamrock off the Monk's hood and chewed it quickly. Then he spit it on the boy's wound.

"Ewwww! A hairball!" the crowded cried in unison.

"No!" cried Father Patrick! "This shamrock was a Gift! And Sydney has shown us it's purpose!"

Fortunately for Sydney, there was magic in the shamrock, for the boy began recovering quickly.

"Now," cried the Head Man, "We must be savin' the sheep and destroyin' that serpent."

Carrying their wooden pitchforks high, the villagers rushed into the stony field to kill the serpent. This was great fun for Sydney, as cats love to battle little snakes. He left the large ones to the villagers however.

An hour later, as the sand flows, many serpents had been routed out and destroyed, including the monster who had bitten the boy.

"We can't get ahead," the Head Man told Father Patrick, "There be more snakes in Ireland than birds."

With these words, Sydney who'd been trying to think of some way to help the Monk, wacked Father Patrick on the foot. The good Monk ignored him, saying "Not now Sydney."

Sydney extended a couple of well sharpened claws and wacked Father Patrick again.

"Oooouch!" the Monk cried out, "What are you doing? I'm no scratching post you silly boy."

As Father Patrick looked down at Sydney, Sydney pawed a dead snake he'd carried over to share.

Suddenly the blinding white light of an idea flashed into Father Patrick's head. He knew this was his greatest challenge since arriving in Ireland, he greatest challenge in his Life. This could win the entire village over. Word would spread across the land....

"I, Father Patrick, will chase all the snakes out of Ireland!"

The Head Man and the villagers took a step back, wondering if Father Patrick had been seriously bitten by a serpent.

Then, with Sydney at his feet, Father Patrick prayed as he'd never prayed before. A light glowed around his head. Suddenly, thousands of snakes started swarming out of the rocks, slithering towards the sea.

The scroll ends there. Whether the story continued or not, we will never know.

Many historians have written about Father Patrick, who is now a Saint, but few, if any, have written about his brave companion Sydney St. Claire.

Shake your lucky charms and zoom back over to
Space Station Tik Tok, The Moon-Unit

or

Original art copyrighted Renato Deaca
2001 - 2019 All rights reserved