Rattlesnake Quote by Roy Kesey
““So far he’s never been bit, but there was once, deer hunt, climbing a bluff and he’d slipped, rolled down a shale slide into some kind of grotto and the whole place started buzzing. Big rattlesnake nest, twenty or so, all small but they’ll kill you just the same and he’d scrambled and cranked round after round through the bolt, felt a hot white pain in his leg, dropped the gun and jumped. Once he was out of it he pulled down his pants, found the bite but it wasn’t a bite, just the one hole and too big, something lodged under the skin. He cut at it for a time. Piece of copper jacket from one of his own bullets, turned out. Stood there, sun in his eyes, blood on his hands, pants full of blood and bunched at his ankles, happy as he’d been in a while. - "Any Deadly Thing””
About This Quote
A harrowing encounter with a rattlesnake bite reveals both physical danger and a surreal, almost ecstatic reaction to survival and pain.
In simple terms: A dangerous bite leads to shock, pain, and a strange exhilaration.
Key Takeaway
Stay alert to hidden hazards and trust instincts.
Themes
survival
danger
pain
adrenaline
unexpected joy
Mood
tense
thrilling
reflective
Type
anecdotal
survival.
When to use this quote
- outdoor adventures
- hunting trips
- first‑aid training
- extreme sports
- military missions
Key Concepts
risk
nature
human resilience
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you react under sudden life‑threatening stress?
- What lessons does this teach about respecting nature?
A Different Perspective
The story may romanticize danger, overlooking long‑term consequences.
