It is a sad story but it also tells a sad truth about human kind. We've become so technologically advanced that we've forgotten the basic laws of nature and our connection to it. Me personally, I'd love to give that kid a thrashing but that would just defeat the ultimate purpose of teaching him how beautiful a creature snakes are. I think his "punishment" should be to do community service at a reptile house, make him handle and work with the creatures he hates so much. Its like when your a kid and you fight with your sibling, he's looking at me, she's touching me and your mom would make you sit across from each other and look at each other or hold hands for an hour. After a while, you can't help but think about the other person and your feelings toward them.