On a recent outing in the Chattahoochee National Forest, Ben Childers of Tunnel Hill had an exciting wildlife encounter.

Ben, 12, was picnicking with his grandparents Larry and Carolyn Woody of Ringgold on Tuesday, Aug. 3 at the Pocket Recreation Area south of Villanow.

“It’s a pretty spot with a stream running through the picnic area and a cold spring to wade in,” said Carolyn.

Ben went exploring while his family ate lunch and after a short time came running back “red-faced and knees shaking” as his grandmother described.

The boy proclaimed that there was a huge snake just up the path and implored his grandparents to come and see.

“He tends to exaggerate, so at first we ignored him,” said his grandmother. “But he kept on trying to get us to go see this large snake.”

They declined his invitation but allowed him to take a digital camera to make a photo.

“He came back and showed us the picture, and to our surprise, it was a large snake,” said Carolyn. “It looked as big as my arm!”

She said after the family came home they looked up information on the Internet to try and identify the type of snake.

“We believe it was a copperhead,” she said.

The moral of the story: listen to your grandchildren – they may not always be crying “wolf.” Or snake.