Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 04, Chapter 28, Text 14

SB 4.28.14

na seke so ’vitum tatra
 puru-krcchroru-vepathuh
gantum aicchat tato vrksa-
 kotarad iva sanalat
 
Translation by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada:  
 
As a serpent living within the cavity of a tree wishes to leave when there is a forest fire, so the city’s police superintendent, the snake, wished to leave the city due to the fire’s severe heat.
 
Purport by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada: 
 
It becomes very difficult for snakes to leave a forest when there is a fire. Other animals may flee due to their long legs, but serpents, only being able to crawl, are generally burnt in the fire. At the last stage, the limbs of the body are not as much affected as the life air.
Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 04, Chapter 28, Text 13
Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 04, Chapter 28, Text 15