“Please,” begged the snake, “take me down where it is warmer. Or I shall surely freeze to death.”
“I don’t think so,” said the Farmer. “I would be a fool to trust you.”
But the snake pleaded. “If you will do this thing, I promise that I will not hurt you.”
Having compassion upon the snake, the farmer picked him up and carried him down into the valley and laid him down upon the ground. As the snake warmed up, he wiggled and stretched. He coiled himself up and struck the farmer.
“Why did you bite me?” cried the farmer. “You gave me your word not to harm me.”
“Ah,” said the snake, “but you knew what I was when you picked me up.”