Psellos replied to a question from Sergios, krites of Thrakesion, as to how somebody [a gipsy in a show?] could survive poisonous snake-bites. His reply began with a traditional list of poisonous snakes, while doubting if any existed in Thrakesion. He spoke of "a distinguished citizen whose name I will deliberately omit, who claims never to have been bitten by fleas or lice" [surely Sergios his correspondent? Sergios as student made this claim, and later he was krites of Thrakesion]. He told Sergios of the neighbour of the widow of Anastasios Lizix. This neighbour frequently handled snakes, and had them with her in bed, without ill effects; he suggested that what Sergios had seen was not unusual. In another letter he warned Sergios of a visit by the monk Elias Krystalas. Elias, who went everywhere but heaven, not liking the rough half of the world, moved via areas plundered by barbarians to the comfortable half, like Thrakesion and Sergios; he should not be revered as a monk, nor feared as Elijah. Sergios should follow his moods and appreciate his combination of opposites as a Protean entertainer of high quality who came self-invited. He should be enjoyed, then sent away