Answer:
Curtail me thrice I am a youth; behead me once a snake; complete I'm often used in truth when certain steps you'd take.
The thunder comes before the lightning and the lightning comes before the cloud The rain dries all the land it touches wrapping the earth in a blood red shroud.
I work when I play and play when I work
I have numbers on my face but can't find 13 any place. What am I?
Use me to reward good behavior.
What is always coming but never arrives?