A Snake, having made his hole close to the porch of a cottage, inflicted a
mortal bite on the Cottager’s infant son. Grieving over his loss, the Father
resolved to kill the Snake. The next day, when it came out of its hole for
food, he took up his ax, but by swinging too hastily, missed its head and
cut off only the end of its tail. After some time the Cottager, afraid that the
Snake would bite him also, endeavored to make peace, and placed some
bread and salt in the hole. The Snake, slightly hissing, said: “There can
henceforth be no peace between us; for whenever I see you I shall
remember the loss of my tail, and whenever you see me you will be
thinking of the death of your son.
