The Woodman and the Serpent
One wintry day a Woodman was tramping home from his work when he saw something black lying on the snow.When he came closer he saw it was a Serpent 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."
农夫与蛇
冬天,农夫发现一条蛇冻僵了,他很可怜它,便把蛇放在自己怀里.蛇温暖后,苏醒了过来,恢复了它的本性,咬了它的恩人一口,使他受到了致命的伤害.农夫临死前说：“我该死,我怜悯恶人,应该受恶报.”
