Inspired by the Hindu game called moksha-patamu, Snakes and Ladders symbolize the moral journey through life to heaven. The path is shortened by good deeds (ladders) and lengthened by evil actions and vices (snakes).
Each culture has given this game an educational or religious significance. The rules? Using a counter and dice, each player moves from space to space, climbing ladders and sliding down snakes. The first player to reach space 100 wins the game. Usually, there is no limit to the number of players.
I was an avid player of this game, particularly when we went on beach holidays. I knew the board so well that I had my favourite ladders and my most feared snakes. Later, when I had my own children, my eldest son also learned the board well. He could throw the dice and place the token in the right spot without counting the squares. This was before he went to school. I think it helped him become good at Maths.
