123. The Farmer and the Snake
A snake lived in a farmer's field, and the farmer made milk offerings to that snake.
The snake would drink the milk and leave a gold coin in exchange.
The farmer kept all this secret, but eventually he told his son. "You are old enough now; you go make the offering!"
When the boy saw the snake emerge from its hole with the gold coin, he concluded that the snake's den must be full of treasure. He struck the snake, intending to kill it, but instead the snake bit him.
The boy died, and the snake was never seen again.
Inspired by: The Panchatantra, translated by Arthur Ryder.
Notes: It is in Book 3, Story 7.
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