The Hazel Branch
One afternoon, a mother put her little baby to sleep. Then she decided to go to the woods to collect strawberries for her. After searching for a while, she found a bush with the reddest of strawberries. They were very sweet and juicy. Unfortunately, she did not see the venomous snake hiding there. As she bent to pick up the strawberries, the snake raised its head. She was very afraid and ran fast, but the snake followed her.
From that day onwards, a green hazel branch has become the surest protection against snakes and other creeping creatures.