The Farmer and the Snake
Story Summary
In "The Farmer and the Snake," a classic moral story, a farmer's act of kindness in rescuing a frozen snake leads to his mortal injury when the snake bites him after being revived. This thought-provoking tale illustrates that not all creatures deserve compassion, highlighting a powerful lesson found in many childhood stories with moral undertones: the greatest kindness can sometimes be met with ungratefulness. Ultimately, the farmer's fate serves as a reminder that compassion directed towards the undeserving can lead to harm.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
The moral of the story is that helping the ungrateful can lead to one's own harm.
Historical Context
This fable, often attributed to Aesop, reflects moral lessons prevalent in ancient Greek storytelling, emphasizing the dangers of misplaced compassion. Variants of the tale, including those in Eastern traditions, highlight the theme of ingratitude and the consequences of aiding those who are inherently harmful, underscoring a timeless caution against naivety in human interactions. Such narratives have been retold through centuries, reinforcing the cultural understanding of the complexities of kindness and betrayal.
Our Editors Opinion
This fable serves as a cautionary reminder in modern life that acts of kindness can sometimes be met with betrayal, especially when extending help to those who may not appreciate it. For instance, a person might lend money to a friend in need, only to find that the friend disappears after receiving the help, leaving the lender feeling exploited and hurt.
You May Also Like
The Opossum of the Future
In "The Opossum of the Future," a clever Opossum finds himself threatened by a Snake while hanging from a tree branch. To escape, he flatters the Snake by praising its evolutionary superiority, but the Snake, rooted in traditional beliefs, dismisses the Opossum's scientific reasoning. This wisdom-packed moral story highlights the clash between modern understanding and age-old traditions, making it a valuable addition to short story collections with moral lessons for children.
The Horse and the Ass
In the humorous story "The Horse and the Ass," a rude horse ignores his overloaded companion's pleas for help, only to find himself burdened with the entire load when the ass collapses. This motivational tale serves as an inspirational short story with a moral, highlighting the importance of sharing each other's struggles, lest we face the consequences alone. Ultimately, it reminds us that in the top 10 moral stories, the lesson is clear: neglecting the troubles of others can lead to our own downfall.
The Wolves and the Sheep
In "The Wolves and the Sheep," a classic tale from famous moral stories, the cunning Wolves persuade the naive Sheep to dismiss their protective Dogs by claiming the Dogs are the true source of conflict. This educational moral story illustrates the dangers of misplaced trust, as the defenseless Sheep fall victim to the Wolves' deceit, highlighting a vital life lesson about the importance of heeding wise counsel for personal growth.
Other names for this story
"Compassion's Cost, Betrayed by Kindness, The Ungrateful Snake, A Farmer's Regret, Warmth and Betrayal, The Perils of Pity, Snake in the Bosom, Winter's Lesson"
Did You Know?
This fable illustrates the peril of misplaced compassion, highlighting how acts of kindness can sometimes be met with betrayal, especially when directed toward those who are inherently ungrateful or malicious. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of helping individuals who may not deserve it, reinforcing the idea that some beings act according to their nature, regardless of the goodwill shown to them.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.