With steady hands, the veterinarian sedated the snake, ensuring it wouldn’t thrash about during the procedure. Once the snake was fully unconscious, the vet began the delicate process of cutting into its swollen belly to extract whatever was causing the obstruction.
Aditya and his grandfather stood nearby, hearts pounding, as they watched the vet work. Every moment felt like an eternity. What had the snake swallowed? Was it a person? An animal? The possibilities were terrifying, each one more gruesome than the last.