Aesop's Fables

the man and_the serpent

a countryman's son by accident trod upon a serpent's tail, which turned and bit him so_that he died . the father in a rage got his axe, and pursuing the serpent, cut off part of_its tail . so the serpent in revenge began stinging several of_the farmer's cattle and caused him severe loss . well, the farmer thought it best to_make it up with_the serpent, and brought food and honey to_the mouth of_its lair, and said to_it: ` let's forget and forgive; perhaps you were right to punish my son, and take vengeance on my cattle, but surely i_was right in trying to revenge him; now that we_are both satisfied why should_not we be friends again ? '

` no, no,' said the serpent; ` take away your gifts; you_can never forget the death of your son, nor I the loss of_my tail .'

Injuries may_be forgiven, but not forgotten .