The Man and the Serpent
Story Summary
In the short story "The Man and the Serpent," a farmer's son is bitten and killed by a serpent after accidentally stepping on its tail. In retaliation, the farmer injures the serpent, leading to a cycle of revenge that results in the loss of the farmer's cattle. When the farmer tries to reconcile, the serpent teaches a life-lesson moral: while injuries may be forgiven, they can never be forgotten, highlighting the enduring consequences of revenge in this very short moral story.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
Injuries may be forgiven, but the memories of them often linger and prevent true reconciliation.
Historical Context
This story reflects themes of revenge and forgiveness prevalent in various fables across cultures, particularly similar to Aesop's fables and the moral lessons they impart. Its origins can be traced to ancient storytelling traditions that highlight the complexities of human-animal relationships and the consequences of vengeance, emphasizing that while reconciliation is desirable, deep-seated grievances often linger. The tale serves as a moral reminder that, while forgiveness is possible, the scars of past injuries may never fully heal.
Our Editors Opinion
This fable underscores the complexities of forgiveness in modern life, illustrating that while we may seek reconciliation after conflict, the scars of past injuries can linger and prevent true harmony. For instance, in a workplace setting, two colleagues who have had a bitter falling out may attempt to move forward by collaborating on projects, but underlying resentment from previous disagreements can hinder their ability to work effectively together, reminding us that some wounds, though acknowledged, remain too deep to fully heal.
You May Also Like
The Lark Burying Her Father
In the well-known moral story "The Lark Burying Her Father," the lark faces the challenge of finding a burial place for her father after his death, as there is no earth available. After five days of searching, she decides to honor him by burying him in her own head, leading to the creation of her crest, which symbolizes her father's grave. This inspirational short story with moral highlights the importance of reverence to one's parents, making it a poignant addition to any collection of moral stories for students.
The Crow and the Serpent
In "The Crow and the Serpent," a timeless moral story, a hungry crow mistakenly believes he has found a fortunate meal in a sleeping serpent. However, the serpent's fatal bite leads to the crow's demise, teaching a valuable lesson about the dangers of greed and misjudgment. This meaningful tale serves as a reminder that what appears to be a lucky opportunity can sometimes be a source of destruction in real-life stories with moral significance.
The Laborer and the Snake
In "The Laborer and the Snake," a grieving cottager seeks revenge on the snake that killed his infant son, but only succeeds in injuring it by cutting off its tail. Attempting to make peace later, he learns from the snake that true reconciliation is impossible as both are haunted by their mutual losses. This life-changing story imparts valuable lessons on the challenges of forgiveness and the enduring nature of past injuries, making it a poignant example of moral-based storytelling.
Other names for this story
Revenge of the Serpent, Forgiveness and Fury, The Farmer's Regret, A Serpent's Vengeance, Healing the Rift, The Cost of Revenge, Unforgiven Wrongs, The Tale of Tail and Tragedy
Did You Know?
This fable illustrates the theme that while forgiveness may be possible, the scars of past grievances often linger, making true reconciliation difficult, as both parties carry the weight of their losses and betrayals.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.