"He must be someone important," they decided. "See? All the others listen when he speaks."
Then suddenly there was a horrified cry. A poisonous snake had just crawled from an armful of branches which Paul was carrying and coiled tight about his hand!
At once confusion set in. The authoritative stranger was no one important, but a dangerous criminal! He had escaped the wrath of the gods at sea, only to have it catch up with him on land!
"He's a murderer!" they told one another fearfully. "That's why the snake clings to his hand!"
Not understanding what was being said, Paul paid lit-tle attention to the outburst, but calmly shook the snake into the fire and continued to bring more wood. At this the natives were beside themselves with fresh excitement. The poisonous snake had not harmed the stranger after all! There he was, alive and well, when by rights he should be dying in the most fearful agony...
"He's a god!" they shouted joyfully. "He cannot die!" Learn more about the incredible story of St. Paul and how he helped to convert so many peoples of different lands in this amazing tale of his sanctity.