The centipede that lived in a man’s mouth and curled around his tongue as he spoke

The Atlas of Curiosities: Part 35

It would be correct to call the man a story teller, as every night he was in the local tavern explaining this or that or regaling his audience with some tale of triumph or misfortune.  We noticed, however, a number of children in the audience, as well as some people from out of town, who did not speak the language.  We drew closer in an attempt to see why they watched him so closely. 

In his mouth was a long black centipede which glistened with his spittle.  It curled around his town as he spoke, and during dramatic pauses, stood up and bared its fangs at the listeners.