Daedalus

I've begun reading a very funny book, Lamb by Christopher Moore, which tells the story of Jesus' childhood from the point of view of his best friend, Biff. At one point a giant cobra follows Jesus out of a wheat field and helps him scare off some bullies.

This reminded me of a scene from another religion inspired work of fiction, the movie "Little Buddha" where, IIRC, a giant cobra extends its hood above a meditating Siddartha in order to shelter him from the rain.

Do these scenes of obedient or helpful snakes have a basis in actual religious stories? If so, why are these snakes so nice, compared to their usual role as agents of evil?

Mageth

In many mythologies, particularly Eastern religions as well as Native American religions, snakes are not portrayed as evil.

In mythologies, due to the shedding of its skin, the snake is often seen as a symbol of death/rebirth, regeneration, the cycle of life. Similarly, the moon, with its lunar month, is seen as a symbol of death/rebirth, and is often associated with the snake.