One chilly winter morning, a kind farmer was walking through his snowy fields when he came across a snake, frozen and helpless in the snow. Feeling sorry for the creature, the farmer said, “This poor snake needs help!” He picked it up gently and took it home.

He laid the snake by the fire to warm it up, and soon, the snake came back to life, hissing softly as it regained strength. The farmer smiled, thinking he had saved a life. But as he turned to get a blanket for the snake, it suddenly bit him hard on the hand!

In shock and pain, the farmer asked, “Why would you bite me after I saved you?”

The snake, with cold eyes, replied, “It’s in my nature to bite.”

The farmer realized too late that helping someone with a harmful nature can lead to his own downfall. From then on, he understood that not all creatures deserve kindness, especially when their nature is to harm.

Moral:

Kindness to evil often leads to harm.

Parenting Tip: Teach children the importance of helping others, but also the value of caution. Not everyone has good intentions, and it’s okay to set boundaries for their safety.

Fun Questions For Curious Kids

• Why do you think the farmer wanted to help the snake?
• If you were the farmer, would you have helped the snake? Why or why not?
• What would you do if you found an animal in need of help?
• Why do you think the snake bit the farmer even after being saved?
• Can you think of a time when someone didn’t appreciate your kindness? How did it make you feel?
• What lesson do you think the farmer learned from his experience?
• How can we be kind but also protect ourselves from harm?

Did You Know? Fun Snake Facts!

1. Snakes don’t chew their food: They swallow it whole, using their flexible jaws to eat prey larger than their heads.
2. Some snakes hibernate in winter: Just like the snake in the story, they go into a deep sleep when it’s cold.
3. Venomous snakes use their fangs to inject venom: Not all snakes are venomous, but those that are use their venom to protect themselves or catch prey.
4. Snakes smell with their tongues: They flick their tongues to pick up scent particles in the air.
5. A snake’s skin doesn’t grow with its body: That’s why snakes shed their skin multiple times a year as they grow.
6. Some farmers like snakes: Non-venomous snakes help control pests by eating rodents in the fields.
7. Snakes have been symbols in many cultures: In some, they represent wisdom and healing, while in others, they’re seen as dangerous or deceitful.

Activity Idea:

“Who Should We Help?”

• What You’ll Need:
  A collection of toys representing different animals (e.g., a dog, a snake, a hen, a rabbit) and a few props like a small blanket or a toy basket.
• How to Play:
  1. Arrange the animal toys in different scenarios. For example:
     • A dog with a hurt paw.
     • A snake lying still, looking cold.
     • A hen trapped in a net.
     • A rabbit sitting by an empty bowl.
  2. Let your child decide which animal they would help and how they would do it.
  3. Discuss the reasoning behind their choices.
     • Questions to ask: “What made you decide to help this animal?” “Is there any animal you’re unsure about helping? Why?”
  4. Emphasize the importance of being kind, but also understanding when to be cautious.
• Purpose:
  Helps children practice critical thinking and learn how to assess different situations for safety and kindness.

Download Free Coloring Pages Related To This Story

Bring the story to life with coloring pages designed to spark creativity and make story time even more fun. Coloring helps kids express their creativity, improve focus, and reinforce the story’s themes in a fun, engaging way. After reading together, let them bring the story to life with colors!

Click on any of the free coloring pages below to download or print it!