The Roman writer Claudius Aelian (2nd–3rd century CE) tells us a curious story about a boy and a pet snake:
A boy bought a small snake and reared it with great care. When it grew he spoke to it as if it could hear, played with it and let it stay in his bed while he was sleeping. When it became very big the city had it sent to an uninhabited spot. Later, when the child, now a young man, came back from an entertainment, he and his companions were set upon by brigands. There was a commotion, and the snake appeared. It dispersed some of the attackers and killed others, saving the young man.
