“ONE WINTER a Farmer found a Viper stiff…
“ONE WINTER a Farmer found a Viper stiff and frozen with cold.
The snake said to the Farmer:
“If you pick me up and hold me to your stomach, your body will make me warm.”
The Farmer said:
“If I do that you will bite me.”
The Snake answered:
“Why would I do that if you save me?”
The Farmer had compassion on the Viper, and taking it up, placed it in his bosom.
The Snake was quickly revived by the warmth, and resuming its natural instincts, bit its benefactor, inflicting on him a mortal wound.
“Oh,” cried the Farmer, “Why did you bite me after I saved you?”
“You knew I was a snake when you picked me up,” answered the Viper.”