Sylvia Wynter's Dream

By Brianna Thomas

In the small Jamaican village named Lodge nestled in St Mary between lush green hills and the rhythmic waves of the Caribbean Sea, there existed a belief that stirred the winds of folklore and mystique. The tale spoke of the elusive Silver Serpent, a mystical creature said to inhabit the depths of the Blue Hole, a hidden underwater cave renowned for its crystal-clear waters.

For generations, the villagers passed down the story of the Silver Serpent, a creature with scales that shimmered like moonlit waves and eyes that held the wisdom of the ages. Some spoke of it as a guardian spirit, protecting the village from harm, while others believed it possessed the power to grant unimaginable riches to those deemed worthy.

Among the believers was my great grandfather a weathered fisherman with a heart as deep as the sea he so often sailed. His face etched with the lines of countless tales, he carried the weight of a belief that had become a compass guiding his life. He claimed to have glimpsed the Silver Serpent on a moonlit night, its majestic form weaving through the shadows of the Blue Hole.

I grew up with the stories of the Silver Serpent. I listened wide-eyed as my grandfather spoke of the creature’s grace and the ancient bond between the villagers and the mysterious guardian. Yet, as I grew older, i found myself torn between the enchanting tales of past heritage and the scientific knowledge i gained from modern education.

One day, after returning from school with a backpack filled with textbooks, I found my grandfather gazing out at the vast expanse of the Caribbean. The sea breeze carried whispers of the Silver Serpent, and I hesitated before breaking the silence.

“Grandpa,” i began tentatively, “do you really believe in the Silver Serpent? I mean, it sounds magical, but science says…”

Winston chuckled, his eyes reflecting the wisdom of his years. “Ah, my sweet Bri. Science has its place, but there are truths beyond what the eye can see. The Silver Serpent is part of our history, our culture. It’s in the very currents of our blood.”

My brow furrowed. “But Grandpa, the world is changing. We have to question things, right? I just find it hard to believe in something so… mythical.”

Winston patted my shoulder, his gaze fixed on the horizon. “Belief isn’t about proof, my dear. It’s about what gives life meaning. The Silver Serpent is the thread that ties us to this land, to each other. Don’t lose that connection in the pursuit of what the world calls progress.”

As time went on, I delved deeper into my studies, immersing myself in the world of logic and reason. I became obsessed with marine biology, exploring the wonders of the sea through the lens of science. The tales of the Silver Serpent faded into the background of my bustling city life, replaced by the hum of technology and the certainty of facts.

From a scientific perspective, the existence of a mythical creature like the Silver Serpent would be deemed implausible based on the lack of empirical evidence. Scientists rely on observable, measurable, and repeatable evidence to establish the reality of a phenomenon. In the case of the Silver Serpent, there would likely be skepticism due to the absence of concrete scientific proof, such as documented sightings, biological samples, or other verifiable data. As i grew older this was my belief. I also believed that old people made these things up out of boredom.

Looking back, i also felt naive that 15% of my younger self wanted to believe my grandfather back then. But now I firmly stand on the belief that people back then indulge in this foolishness due to lack of entertainment. Hence, severe BOREDOM.

But oh well, conspiracy theories has been a thing for decades. For example my beautiful people, the “Moon Landing Hoax”. This theory suggests that the United States’ Apollo moon landings in the 1960s and 1970s were faked by NASA. Proponents of this theory claim that the moon landings were staged on Earth, possibly in a studio, to win the Space Race against the Soviet Union during the Cold War. They point to perceived anomalies in the photographs and videos from the missions as evidence. However i have no thoughts or beliefs as it regards to this. That’s a piece of history that will remain what it is “History”.

But i digress……….

The “Silver Serpent” is just a tale. Satisfying to hear but hard to believe. A pleasant shoutout to my great-grandfather beyond the grave who shared this tale with me. I’m sure he has his reasons for believing and I’m sure its driven by cultural traditions and Jamaican history. But anyways……thanks for joining my ted talk about underwater creatures that protects villages and gifts racks 💸.