He Who Speaks With The Snake

'Isn't your life always in danger one way or another?', said Rinkulla.
'You should be ashamed to do such abase deed for the sake of so dubious a promise.'
These remarks did not seem to abash the mouse at all; indeed, they infuriated him, in so far as one can speak of fury in so small an animal. He rose on his hind paws, squeaking shrilly, 'Do you think I don't know my life's always in danger, whether from falcons or snakes? You want me to feel ashamed of trying to lessen that danger or the fear of it a little, do you? It's all very well for you strong ones. You can snap the likes of us up in passing, if you happen to fancy a mouthful of mouse. Oh yes, it is easy for you to talk! Base deeds, is it? You can despise them, you can afford to look down on them! If you were to do such things they might well be based deeds, seeing you're free to decide either way. But look at us, now - we scrurry through the leaves and grass, close to the ground and full of fear, always feeling the threat of you breathing down our necks. You want me to risk my life, do you, just so this hairy great monster here can keep his toy? Well, you go and tell that falcon off for tempting me to be so bold, but don't you preach at me! All right, now eat me up quick and let's get it over with!'
This was indeed a remarkable speech for a mouse to make, and obviously the snake herself was impressed, as well as Stone-eye, for she said, 'It would certainly be a pity to eat so brave a mouse! I must admit that you put me to shame. May I know your name, mouse?'
'Haven't got one yet', said the mouse. 'With us mice, it's like this, see? You only get a name when you've done something special. So a lot of us die nameless, before we get a chance to do anything much. We die in the talons of a falcon, or the claws of a wild cat, or...' And here the mouse hesitated, and looked timorously at Rinkulla.
'Or?', said the snake, returning his glance with her agate eyes.
The mouse plucked up all his courage, and continued, 'Or the jaws of a snake.'
Rinkulla nodded her head, pleased, and said, 'You are indeed a brave mouse. And since you have now spoken not only in anger, but have overcome your fear, it is time you had a name. In future you shall be known as He-who-speaks-with-the-snake.'
~

Ringsnake Rinkulla, getting owned by a brave little mouse. X)
From The Stone And The Flute/Stein und Flöte (Hans Bemmann)