There was once a poor man who lived in a small hut. He had not much, but he was content. He found a snake in his garden one day, cold and hungry. Feeling sorry for it, he brought it into his home and fed it crumbs from his table.
As the days turned into weeks, the snake grew stronger and healthier. It became a regular visitor to the man's table, sharing his meals and warming itself by the fire. The two formed a unique friendship. The man appreciated the company, and the snake enjoyed the warmth and the food.
One day, while cutting bread for their meal, the man, not seeing the snake had slithered onto the table, accidentally cut the snake with his knife. The snake hissed in pain and recoiled. The man was horrified by his mistake. He quickly tended to the snake's wound and begged for its forgiveness.
The snake, though in pain, forgave the man. But it gave the man a warning. "I forgive you, friend," said the snake, "but you must be careful. I am a snake after all. And though I do not hold a grudge now, I may forget your kindness one day and remember only the pain."
The man took the snake's words to heart, treating it with even more care and attention from that day forth, always mindful of the possible danger he had invited into his home.
There was once a poor man who lived in a small house. He didn’t have much, but he was happy. One day, he found a snake in his garden. The snake was cold and hungry. Feeling sorry for it, the man took the snake inside and gave it some food.
As time passed, the snake got stronger and healthier. It started visiting the man every day, eating meals together and sitting by the warm fire. The man liked the company, and the snake enjoyed the warmth and food.
One day, while the man was cutting bread, he didn’t notice the snake on the table. By accident, he cut the snake with his knife. The snake hissed in pain and moved away. The man felt terrible and quickly helped the snake, saying sorry many times.
The snake forgave the man but gave him a warning. "I forgive you, but remember, I am still a snake. One day, I might forget your kindness and only remember the pain."
After that, the man was very careful with the snake. He always remembered the snake’s warning and took extra care around it.
There was once a poor man who lived in a small house. He didn’t have much, but he was happy. One day, he found a snake in his garden. The snake was cold and hungry. Feeling sorry for it, the man took the snake inside and gave it some food.
As time passed, the snake got stronger and healthier. It started visiting the man every day, eating meals together and sitting by the warm fire. The man liked the company, and the snake enjoyed the warmth and food.
One day, while the man was cutting bread, he didn’t notice the snake on the table. By accident, he cut the snake with his knife. The snake hissed in pain and moved away. The man felt terrible and quickly helped the snake, saying sorry many times.
The snake forgave the man but gave him a warning. "I forgive you, but remember, I am still a snake. One day, I might forget your kindness and only remember the pain."
After that, the man was very careful with the snake. He always remembered the snake’s warning and took extra care around it.
Once upon a time, in a teeny-tiny hut that looked like it was built by a bunch of busy beavers, lived a happy man. Now, this fella wasn't rich, but he was as cheerful as a kid in a candy store. One not-so-sunny day, he found a snake in his garden looking as glum as a wet kitten.
"Hey, snakey! You look chilly. What's going on?" said the man, standing like a funny guy about to tell jokes.
"Brr, I'm cold and hungry," hissed the snake, sounding like he was in a play or something.
"Hungry, eh? C'mon, let's get you something yummy." The man invited the snake into his little house and gave it crumbs from his own meal. "It's not five-star dining, but it'll do!"
Days turned into weeks, and the snake started looking better and better. "Wow, you're glowing! Like a shiny new toy," the man said with a big smile.
"I'm living the dream," the snake said, curling up by the warm fire like it was the best spot ever.
"Ah, the dream! We're just missing some popcorn," laughed the man, chopping up some bread for their next feast. But whoops! The knife slipped and gave the snake a little cut.
"Ouch! What happened? Trying to make snake pie?" yelled the snake, jumping back like it had seen a spider.
"Oh no! I'm really, really sorry!" The man rushed over with a little bandage. "Will you forgive me?"
"Okay, okay, I forgive you. But listen up. I'm still a snake, you know? I might forget how nice you are and get snappy," warned the snake.
"Got it," nodded the man, being super-duper careful around his slippery friend from that day on.
So the two pals kept hanging out, but the man was always a bit more watchful. 'Cause sometimes, even your buddies can give you a surprise!
A kind man lived in a little hut,
Happy with his simple, humble lot.
He found a snake all shivery and small,
And said, "There's room for two, room for all!"
The snake grew strong, each day a feast,
A regular at the man's humble feast.
Near the fire, they'd laugh and share,
A friendship rare, beyond compare.
But oops! One day, a slip, a slash!
The knife met scales in a quick, brief clash.
"Oh no!" the man cried, full of woe,
"Dear snake, forgive me, it wasn't so!"
"Friend," hissed the snake, "I forgive, it's true.
But remember well what I say to you.
Though I'm your friend, still a snake I be,
And someday might forget your kindness to me."
The kind man nodded, his lesson learned,
With even greater care, his friendship earned.
Ever mindful of the words that were spoken,
His caring heart never again would be broken.
Having very little money or things.
A place with plants and flowers outside.
Feeling the need to eat food.
Having someone with you to not feel alone.
Using something sharp to make pieces.
A soft, sharp sound made by some animals.
Stopped being angry at someone for a mistake.
A message to be careful about something.
Being friendly, helpful, or caring to others.
Paying attention to avoid accidents or mistakes.
Having very little money or things.
A place with plants and flowers outside.
Feeling the need to eat food.
Having someone with you to not feel alone.
Using something sharp to make pieces.
A soft, sharp sound made by some animals.
Stopped being angry at someone for a mistake.
A message to be careful about something.
Being friendly, helpful, or caring to others.
Paying attention to avoid accidents or mistakes.
Where did the man find the snake?
Why did the man bring the snake inside his house?
How did the snake change after spending time with the man?
What happened to the snake when the man was cutting bread?
What warning did the snake give to the man after the accident?
A king's elephant and a dog form a friendship, are suddenly separated, but they are reunited by the king and live happily.
The powerful North Wind and the gentle Sun try to make a traveler take off his cloak to prove who is stronger. Which one will succeed?
A thirsty crow finds a pitcher with water too low to reach. What clever trick will he use to get a drink?
A lion spares a tiny mouse who promises to return the favor one day. How could such a small mouse possibly help a lion?
Steady and patient, a slow tortoise dares to race against a confident hare. Who will cross the finish line first?
When a farmer brings a bundle of sticks to his sons, they stop arguing. How did a simple bundle of sticks teach them?
While the grasshopper dances through summer, the ant works hard, gathering food. Which one will survive when winter arrives?
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Enjoy 25 selected fables for life, in print. Every purchase supports free stories for children, parents, and teachers worldwide at fablereads.com
Learn More