The Farmer and the Snake

A Snake was resting in the tall grass when the farmer’s son walking by accidentally stepped on her tail. The Snake reacted instinctively and bit the boy, who soon died.

The Farmer was devastated. Overcome by rage, he grabbed his axe and went looking for the Snake. He found her near a pile of rocks, swung his axe, but only managed to chop off the tip of the Snake’s tail before she found shelter under the heavy rocks.

The Farmer buried his son, but in the coming weeks he was discovering a new loss every few days: the Snake, crippled without her tail rattle, was now taking revenge on him by killing his cows one by one.

“Taking revenge upon revenge is senseless,” thought the Farmer. “This has to come to an end.” So he brought a large platter of his finest foods in from the the Snake’s pit. “Enough harm has been done. Let’s make peace!” said he to the reptile peeking out.

“We have both suffered,” replied the snake. “But take your gifts back! Let’s not pretend we could ever be friends!”

The End