This Young Girl Learns an Important Life Lesson from a Snake

We all have a moral compass that influences our decisions and directs our actions. Hopefully, though, ours can accurately distinguish north from south, so we won’t go astray. For most of us, that inner sense compels us to do what’s noble and what’s right. It impels us to be generous, kind, and compassionate, especially to those who are in need. Sometimes, we lend our hands to the point that we disregard our safety and security.

Yet, showing goodness and kindness to others does not guarantee that they will reciprocate the gesture. We don’t know what goes on inside a person’s head or how anyone would react. We can’t expect people to jump for joy or to express their undying gratitude when we come to their rescue. Others might even hurt us. It’ sad, but true.

Their attitudes and behaviors are beyond our control.

However, that shouldn’t hinder us from doing the right thing. All we could do is open our eyes and our minds to all the possibilities, and be prepared for whatever happens.

And when we decide to help, let’s do it out of the kindness of our hearts; never asking or expecting anything in return.

Read this story:

A young girl was walking along a mountain path to her grandmother’s house when she heard a rustle at her feet. Looking down, she saw a snake, but before she could react, the snake spoke to her.

“I am about to die,” it said. “There is no food in these mountains, and I am starving. Please, won’t you carry me to the other side of the mountain? It’s too cold for me up here, and I am freezing.”

“No,” the girl replied. “I know what you are. You’re a snake. You’re dangerous to me. And if I pick you up, you will bite me and your bite is probably poisonous.”

As the girl started to go down the mountain side, the snake used its sneakiness to make the girl feel sorry for him. “Please, I’m a living creature,” said the snake. “You can’t just let me die! If you help me, you will be my best friend. I will treat you differently.”

The young girl sat down on a rock for a moment to rest and think things over. She looked at the beautiful markings on the snake and she had to admit he was the most beautiful snake she had ever seen.

The girl thought for a moment. She said, “Do you promise not to bite me?”

The snake replied, “I promise.”

“Well, then, I guess it’s okay,” said the girl, “I believe you. I will save you. All living things deserve to be treated with kindness.”

She then reached over, put the snake gently under her coat and continued toward her grandmother’s house.

Not long enough, the girl could feel the snake getting warmer. It began moving around inside her coat.

Within a moment, she felt a sharp pain in her side. The snake had bitten her!

“How could you do this to me?” she cried. “You promised that you would not bite me, and I trusted you!”

“You knew what I was when you picked me up,” hissed the ungrateful snake as it slithered away.

Moral of the Story:

Even great acts of kindness will not dissuade those with malicious intentions. A snake doesn’t have a conscience or morals like decent, God-fearing people. A snake bites you because it’s a “snake” by nature — that’s how these kinds of predators operate, it’s in their DNA. You cannot change them.

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