The Snake and the Mirror Summary – A Tale of Reflection and Fear

The Snake and the Mirror is a fascinating short story written by Vaikom Muhammad Basheer. It revolves around a young, ambitious doctor and his unexpected encounter with a snake, leading to a humorous yet thrilling experience.

The story is narrated in the first person, where the doctor recalls an incident from his past. One night, after returning to his small rented room, he admires himself in a mirror, lost in thoughts of his own charm and future plans. As he daydreams about his potential marriage, a snake suddenly drops from the ceiling and coils around his arm. Frozen with fear, the doctor realizes his helplessness.

Instead of panicking, he observes how the snake is also looking at its reflection in the mirror. Taking advantage of this distraction, he slowly escapes from the room. The next day, when he returns with his friends, he finds the snake gone, and most of his belongings stolen.

This humorous and suspenseful tale highlights themes of vanity, fear, and fate. It teaches an important lesson about life’s unpredictability and the insignificance of materialistic concerns in the face of danger. Through the snake and the mirror summary, Basheer presents a simple yet profound story that entertains while making the reader reflect on human nature.