Sep
A Snake Tale
This is a very old story. A version of it was made into a popular song some time during the 1950s. In that version, the main character was a woman. There is an earlier prose version where the main person is an Indian. That is the one I heard first.
The story:
An Indian was climbing down a mountain. It was cold atop the mountain. Along the way, he saw a snake on one of the ledges. The snake was dying of cold. The Indian was going to pass the snake, but the serpent heard him and weakly called for help.
‘Please! I am dying of cold. Please carry me down the mountain and place me in the warm sun.”
“ I cannot do that! You are a snake ! You will bite me!” replied the Indian
The snake cried, “Please! I will not bite you! Please help me! I am dying of cold!”
“You say that, but you are a snake. I will not carry you!” the Indian said.
The snake sighed. “Please help me. I will not bite you. No reasonable creature would harm someone who helped him. “
The Indian thought for a moment. “Certainly, this snake sounds reasonable. I think it is be safe to help him.”
The Indian picked up the snake and put it under his coat to keep it warm. He carefully climbed down the mountain. The Indian could feel the snake getting better as it became warmer.
Finally they reached the bottom of the mountain. It was warm there.
“Please put me on the rocks in the sun,” said the snake.
The Indian placed the revived reptile on a warm, sub-bathed stone. As soon as he set the snake down, it bit him. The Indian could feel it inject his venom into him as it bit.
“Why did you bite me? You promised not to do that. You deceived me! You are poisonous and now I am going to die!” the Indian exclaimed.
“Why are you so surprised, foolish man! You knew what I was before you picked me up,” said the snake.
It is said that the snake is the animal that bites the hand that feeds it.
The moral of the story is evident. A thing is just what it is. No pleading, excuses or promises will change that. If you know it is dangerous, then it is your fault if you ignore that fact.
Once again, we find the Mannar Rune in all its glory. Here was a case of the What – the thing – and what it claims to be. The snake wanted it Indian to forget it was a snake, and instead treat it as a fellow creature in need of help. By overlooking the animal’s identity on favor of its promises, he fell victim to its true nature.
This is a useful tale that teaches a powerful lesson to those who listen.
