Aesop's Fables

The Woodman and_the Serpent

One wintry day aWoodman was tramping home from_his work when he_saw something black lying on_the snow .When he_came closer he_saw it_was aSerpent to all appearance dead .But he_took it up and put it in_his bosom to warm while he hurried home . as_soon_as he got indoors he put the Serpent down on_the hearth before_the fire .The children watched it and saw it slowly come to life again .Then one_of_them stooped down to stroke it, but thc Serpent raised its head and put out its fangs and was about to sting the child to death .So the Woodman seized his axe, and with one stroke cut the Serpent in two .`Ah,' said he,

`No gratitude from_the wicked .'