Zeusology
Zeusology
Episode: The Indian Cobra
Mission Statement
Dedicated to presenting outstanding educational and scientific entertainment to diverse audiences through short-form puppetry videos.
Vision Statement
Foster lifelong passion and knowledge about our planet and animals and the importance of keeping a clean environment.
Provide children with wholesome and engaging lessons with a particular interest in promoting inclusion and empowerment for audience members on the spectrum.
Script
Zeusology Theme
“Hey there buddy how you doing today?
It’s so great you decided to come our way.
The world’s full of wonder, I hope you agree,
Animals that roam land, sky and sea.
Grab a snack, and a friend or two.
It’s time to join this wacky adventure crew.
We’ll learn cool facts about the earth and biology.
Let’s learn! It’s time for Zeusologyyyyyyy!!!!?”
Title Card: The Indian Cobra
Zeus swings into the kitchen from vines.
ZEUS: Yawn! Morning, Jack!
JACK: Good morning, ZEUS!
ZEUS: Whatcha doing?
JACK: Just reading a book and drinking some coffee. Say Zeus, why don’t snakes drink coffee?
ZEUS: That’s easy! Because he prefers tea!
JACK: No! Because it makes them viperactive. Hahahahaha!
ZEUS: Wow, you must be a snake because you’re Hisssssssterical!
Beat. They laugh.
JACK: I do say so myssssself. What is your favorite snake, Zeus? I don’t think I know.
ZEUS: Oh no, Jack. I’m afraid of snakes. They give me the slithers.
JACK: I think I would have to go with the Indian Cobra.
Video of snake striking.
JACK: Yikes! Now that is a dangerous fella!
ZEUS: Hmmmm, now that I think about it, how do I know if a snake is an Indian Cobra?
JACK: Well, check it out. This cobra species can easily be identified by its relatively large and quite impressive hood, which it expands when threatened. When the hood mark is present, it consists of two circular patterns connected by a curved line.
ZEUS: OH!!!!!!!!! Aren’t those the one in those wicker baskets just sitting there waiting for you to play it a tune on your pipe?
JACK: Sort of. The cobra IS a celebrity in India culture. The Indian god Shiva wears one around his neck like a scarf, and the snake is very popular with snake charmers. The cobra's dramatic threat posture makes for a unique spectacle, as it appears to sway to the tune of a snake charmer's flute.
ZEUS: I think it’s pretty cool how they dance without arms? Watch this!
Dances silly.
JACK: Great job, ZEUS! But I bet you didn’t know the cobra isn’t actually listening to tunes. No, while the cobra can hear, it is actually deaf to the snake charmer's pipe. Instead it sways and follows the visual cue of the moving instrument and senses the vibrations from the snake charmer's tapping on the ground.
ZEUS: You mean the Indian Cobra doesn’t listen to Elton John? How sad!
JACK: It’s okay, ZEUS. The cobra in the wild spends most of it’s time finding food or sheltering in holes in building walls, tree hollows, termite mounds, rock piles, and small mammal dens.
ZEUS: You mean an Indian Cobra could be here right now? In the walls? (Points.)
JACK: Definitely not here, but the reason they are attracted to human homes is because humans attract small rodents who eat their scraps of food.
ZEUS: So you mean if I keep my room clean and pick up food when it falls on the floor, I should be safe?
JACK: Probably.
ZEUS: Wow! Indian Cobras are cool! I wonder if they sell any at the pet store. (Mimics an old-time town crier.) “Get your pet viper! Pet viper one for ten dollars. Three for fifteen!”
JACK: Dont be confused, Zeus. This species is definitely a member of the nope rope society. That means no touching!
ZEUS: Right, okay. Well I better clean my room! … Hey Jack! I got a joke! Why was the snake banned from the bowling alley? Too many strikes. HAHHAHAA!
Zeus swings away while Jack returns to his book.
JACK: Oh, Zeus!
THE END.
