The Labourer and the Snake
A snake,having made his hole close to the porch of a cottage,inflicted a severe bite on the cottager's infant son,of which he died,to the great grief of his parents.The father resolved to kill the snake,and the next day,on its coming out of its hole for food,took up hisaxe;but,making too much haste to hit him,missed his head,and cutoff only the end of his tail.After some time the cottager,afraid lest the snake should bite him also,endeavoured to make peace,and placed some bread and salt beside his hole.The snake,slightly hissing,said,“There can henceforth be no peace between us;for whenever I see you I shall re-member the loss of my tail,and whenever you see me you will bethinking of the death of your son.”
No one truly forgets injuries in the presence of him who caused the injury.Exercises:
回答下列问题:
① Where did the snake make its hole?
② What did the farmer do after his infant son died?
③ Why did he decide to make peace with the snake?