Taming the Clockwork Serpent

Downstairs monster patrol was officially on! You warned me about the bigger serpent guarding the steps, and sure enough, coiled right across the hardwood landing was a long, segmented plastic toy snake with shiny gold-and-green scales! Its brass turn-key was wound tight, looking ready to rattle into action. Moving fast, I slid a heavy, ridged wooden curtain ring right over its snout to keep it from snapping! Then, with a mighty fuzzy shove, I jammed a chunky red wooden block snug against its winding key so the gears couldn't budge. *Click-clonk!* The downstairs serpent was completely disarmed, and the path upstairs is officially clear!