The Ungrateful Snake

Once upon a time, in a quiet village near a dense forest, there lived a kind-hearted farmer named Ramesh. He was known for his generosity and willingness to help anyone in need. One cold winter morning, as Ramesh walked through the forest to gather firewood, he heard a faint hissing sound near a frozen stream.

Curious, he followed the sound and found a large, venomous snake lying half-frozen on the ground. Its scales were dull, and its body trembled from the cold. The snake raised its head weakly and spoke in a pleading voice, "Please, kind sir, help me. I am freezing to death. If you warm me, I promise I will not harm you."

Ramesh hesitated. He knew snakes were dangerous, but the creature looked so helpless that his compassion overcame his fear. Carefully, he picked up the snake and placed it inside his coat, close to his chest, to share his warmth.

As they walked back toward the village, the snake slowly regained its strength. By the time they reached Ramesh’s hut, the snake was fully revived. Grateful, it coiled itself comfortably in Ramesh’s lap and said, "Thank you for saving my life. I will never forget your kindness."

Ramesh smiled, happy to have done a good deed. He offered the snake some milk and a warm place to stay until the winter passed. The snake stayed with him for several days, resting and recovering.

The Betrayal

One evening, as Ramesh sat by the fire, the snake suddenly lunged at him, sinking its fangs deep into his arm. Ramesh cried out in pain and shock, clutching his wound as the venom spread.

"Why?" he gasped, staring at the snake in disbelief. "I saved your life! I gave you warmth and food! How could you do this to me?"

The snake hissed coldly, "You knew what I was when you picked me up. It is my nature to bite. Did you expect me to change just because you helped me?"

Ramesh collapsed to the ground, his vision blurring. As the poison took its toll, he realized too late the truth in the old saying: "Never trust the wicked, even if they seem helpless."

The Consequences

Word of Ramesh’s fate spread quickly through the village. The villagers were furious. They banded together, armed with sticks and torches, and hunted down the treacherous snake. Cornered near the same frozen stream where Ramesh had found it, the snake tried to plead for mercy, but no one listened.

"You betrayed the man who showed you kindness," the village elder declared. "Now, you shall pay the price."

With a swift strike, one of the villagers crushed the snake’s head, ending its life.

The Moral

The story of the ungrateful snake teaches us a harsh but important lesson: betraying kindness brings ruin. No matter how much good someone does for a wicked person, their nature will never change. The snake, despite being saved, chose to harm its benefactor, and in the end, it faced destruction.

In life, we must be wise in choosing whom to trust. Not everyone who asks for help deserves it, and not everyone who seems helpless is truly innocent. Kindness is a virtue, but it must be paired with wisdom.

Reflection

Had Ramesh been more cautious, he might have avoided his tragic fate. But his mistake was assuming that even a dangerous creature would change its nature because of kindness. Some beings—whether animals or people—are simply incapable of gratitude.

The tale also warns those who take advantage of others' generosity. Like the snake, those who betray trust will eventually face the consequences of their actions. Cruelty and ingratitude lead only to isolation and downfall.

Conclusion

As the villagers buried Ramesh, they mourned not just his death but also the loss of his kindness in the world. Yet, they also learned from his mistake. From that day on, they were careful in offering help, ensuring that their compassion did not blind them to the true nature of those they aided.

And so, the story of the ungrateful snake lived on—a timeless reminder that betraying kindness brings ruin, and that wisdom must always walk hand in hand with mercy.

The End.