An inventive , mathematically minded man we know in North Queensland recently spotted a bush rat, possibly forced in by the weather,running about his house . Out came an ordinary rat trap , cheese applied, thoroughly lashed on with cotton .
Next morning ...cheese gone , no rat caught . Man outsmarted yet again by a rodent . That night , he adjusted the trap so delicately he was lucky not lose a digit or three in the process of putting it in position .
Watching television with his wife, he happened to catch a glimpse of the rat running in the direction of the trap . Getting up to investigate , there was a sudden commotion,screeching heard.What in God's name had happened ?
From behind the deep freeze in a side room, a large python had slithered out and grabbed the rat !!! It had looped itself about the rat, which was protesting loudly . The snake , about a metre and half long , then proceeded to adjourn to the back of the freezer to enjoy supper . A check of the trap showed that it had not gone off and the cheese was missing .It seems the smart rat was grabbed while digesting the cheese.
Discretion the better part of valour , the householder decided to leave the snake where it was until the morning . His wife, not happy about sharing the evening with a python , made sure the bedroom was secured like Fort Knox before hitting the sack .
In the morning , the snake, a bit lumpish , was still in situ behind the freezer . A snake man was called from nearby and kindly offered to return the serpent if another rat turned up on the premises . The lady of the house , from Tasmania which , like Ireland and New Zealand , is supposed not to have any snakes, firmly said no thanks .
