Question

why did the poet have to wait near the water trough

Answer 1

The poet came down with his pitcher for drinking water but he was encountered by the snake so  the poet waited until the snake finishes drinking water as the snake had came first and the poet came after him. Also  the snake was like a guest for him thought that the snake was the owner of  the water trough and thus the poet waited at the water trough

Answer 2

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