aesopsfables.net concept and illustrations by Bethany Hamilton
The Man and the Serpent

A Countryman's son by accident trod upon a Serpent's tail, which turned and bit him so that he died. The father in a rage got his axe, and pursuing the Serpent, cut off part of its tail. So the Serpent in revenge began stinging several of the Farmer's cattle and caused him severe loss. Well, the Farmer thought it best to make it up with the Serpent, and brought food and honey to the mouth of its lair, and said to it: "Let's forget and forgive; perhaps you were right to punish my son, and take vengeance on my cattle, but surely I was right in trying to revenge him; now that we are both satisfied why should not we be friends again?" "No, no," said the Serpent; "take away your gifts; you can never forget the death of your son, nor I the loss of my tail."

Injuries may be forgiven, but not forgotten.

return to index

printable

hide comments
2011-4-14 09:17 PM - alexcia
it was great but more actttionnn
2006-5-14 03:29 PM - judith
i''d have killed that snake not given it some honey!!!
2004-1-14 00:10 AM - Breelyn
Hey Hannah how r u doin
2001-11-16 03:58 PM - marion zollicoffer
great
your name:
your comment:

whose fables?