What a Snake Encounter in Japan Taught Me About Fear
Lessons in perspective, resilience, and embracing the unknown.
Imagine walking alone on a quiet mountain path when a massive snake suddenly blocks your way. Would you freeze in fear or find the courage to move forward?
For me, this wasn’t hypothetical—it happened, leaving me with valuable lessons.
A Snake On The Path
The year was 2009. I was living in the picturesque Mie Prefecture in Japan, as part of the JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Programme. My role as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) took me to 14 remote schools, bringing English lessons to small, rural communities, including the idyllic town of Mikisato.
One morning, I set off on what should have been a routine trip. After disembarking at the familiar unmanned station, I began my 15-minute walk through the woods to the elementary school nestled in the mountains.
The crisp air and warm sun made a pleasant walk… until it wasn’t. There, in the middle of the trail, was a large snake. Coiled tightly, its scales glinted in the sunlight. I froze.
I’ve always had an aversion to snakes. Now, I was face-to-face with one, alone and unprepared. Fear surged through me, and my instinct was to turn back.
With no mobile phone, no way to contact the school, and only a handful of coins for the public phone, I hurried back to the station. The only sign of life was a car broadcasting political campaign messages—not exactly helpful.
Desperate, I called my husband. His advice? “Do you have an umbrella? Throw it at the snake or hit the bushes to scare it away. ‘打草惊蛇’ (‘da cao jing she’) —stir the grass to startle the snake!
The Chinese proverb had come to life in the most literal way. I thought he was joking. Me? Duel a snake with an umbrella? No way.
After some hesitation, I took a deep breath and returned to the path, hoping for the best. To my immense relief—and without me doing a thing—the snake had vanished. I sprinted to the school, heart pounding from fear and relief.
When I recounted my ordeal, trembling, to the principal and teachers, I was hoping for sympathy. Instead, they burst into laughter.
“You’re from Singapore, a metropolis,” one said. “No snakes there, right?”
Even my students were unfazed. “Sensei! You saw a snake? Show us where it is! We want to play with it!”
What I’d experienced as a harrowing ordeal was, for them, just another day.
Fear Can Be a Teacher
What I thought was a life-threatening obstacle turned out to be a harmless Japanese rat snake (aodaisho), revered in local folklore as a symbol of prosperity and balance. My encounter taught me how fear can distort reality, magnifying the unknown into something far more daunting than it truly is.
In many ways, it mirrored the challenges I’ve faced as an entrepreneur. Like the snake, obstacles in business can appear suddenly, catching us off guard. But we have a choice: freeze, retreat, or take a deep breath and move forward.
Fear can show us many things about ourselves. The goal isn’t to be fearless—it is to fear less. That morning in Mikisato, I sprinted to the school—not because I had conquered my fear, but because moving forward was the only choice. It was about taking the next step, even with my heart racing and my mind full of what-ifs.
Lessons From My Encounter
1. Perception Shapes Reality
“Each of us must confront our own fears, must come face to face with them. How we handle our fears will determine where we go with the rest of our lives.” – Judy Blume
Fear often stems from unfamiliarity. My colleagues and students saw the snake as part of nature, not as a threat. Perspective can turn a terrifying moment into an ordinary, or even humorous one.
2. Self-Reliance is a Superpower
That day taught me the value of self-reliance. In moments of crisis, we often look outward for help. But sometimes, the only person who can help you is yourself.
3. Adaptability Builds Resilience
“It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” – Charles Darwin
Life in rural Japan was full of surprises—typhoons, tarantulas, scorpions, and yes, snakes. Learning to adapt to the unexpected has served me well in life and business.
4. Laughter Diffuses Tension
Sometimes, a good laugh is all it takes to turn fear into perspective. My colleagues and students reminded me not to take myself—or my fears—too seriously.
5. Embrace the Unknown
Life often takes us down unfamiliar paths, and it’s often beautiful. These experiences, though unsettling, are what drive growth and resilience. My snake encounter became a story I still tell, not just because it was scary (and on hindsight, funny), but because it taught me to embrace life’s unpredictability.
Shedding Fears, Embracing Growth
Looking back, I realise the snake wasn’t my true obstacle—it was my fear. While I still jump at the sight of snakes, they remind me that growth isn’t about erasing fear but about facing it with courage, adaptability, and even a touch of humour.
As we enter the Lunar Year of the Snake, reflect on the “snakes in your path”—the challenges that have shaped you. Embrace the unexpected, for one day, like me, you might look back and laugh—not because your fear has vanished, but because you found a way to grow through it.