Aesop
|
Greece

The Domestic Snake

A poor man befriends a snake by taking care of it, but accidentally injures it; the snake forgives but warns about its nature.
Forgiveness
Responsibility
Caution
Aesop's Fables - The Domestic Snake
Audio available for B1 version

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.

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.

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Understanding Questions

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do you think the man decided to help the snake even though snakes can be dangerous?
  2. How did the man and the snake's relationship change after the man accidentally hurt the snake?
  3. Can you think of a time when you've made a mistake that hurt someone else, and how did you try to make it better?
  4. What does the snake's warning teach us about the nature of animals and the consequences of our actions?
  5. How can we apply the lesson from this story in our lives when dealing with potentially dangerous situations or creatures?

Fable Quotes

Forgiveness is the first step towards healing, for both the one who forgives and the one forgiven.
When we care for others, we must remember our duty to do no harm.
Even in trust, we must remember the nature of things.
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