Fables from the Pachatantra - The Gold giving Snake

   This is one of the interesting fables from the Panchatantra collection.In every story of the Panchatantra, there must be an educational lesson and a moral of the story.

 

The Gold giving Snake

  The Gold giving Snake   

Once upon a time, there was a poor Brahmin (priest) named Haridatta. He used to work hard in the fields, but could not get the result out of it. One day, after the tiring working hours, he was laid down in the shadow of a big tree, in the middle of the field. At that time, he saw a terrible snake with a big hood coming out of an anthill. The poor Brahmin thought that the snake might be the guardian of the field (in Hindu religion snake is consider as a symbol of goddess, Manasa) and he had not paid any homage to it for once. This could be the reason for the barrenness of the field where he worked.

   Instantly, he went to bring some milk and offered the milk to the snake in a bowl. While offering the milk with due respect, he addressed the snake, “Oh, Guardian of this field! I didn’t know that you reside here that is why I never offered you anything. Please forgive me”. After this whole event he went back to his home that day. Next day, when the farmer Brahmin came to plough the field, he found a gold coin in the bowl near the anthill. Now this became a regular event of Brahmin’s life. Daily he served milk to the snake and found a gold coin.

   One day Brahmin had to go to another place for a work and due to this reason, he asked his son to take care of the snake. The son brought the milk to the anthill and offered to the snake. Next day, the boy came back and found a gold coin in the bowl. After taking the gold coin, he thought, “This anthill must be full of gold coins. I would kill the snake and take them all”. Brahmin’s son decided the plan and next day came to the field with the milk and a stick. He offered the milk to the snake and struck its hood with the stick. The snake escaped the stroke of the stick and bit the boy to his death.

The Gold giving Snake

   The whole village was mourned over the sad death of Brahmin’s son. Two days later, the Brahmin returned to his village and came to know about the death of his son. He came across the whole incident and again went to the field to serve the milk to the snake. He admired the snake in a loud voice and kept the milk near the anthill.

   The snake came out of the anthill and replied, “Brahmin, you have come here from greed, even you have left your grief for your son who has just passed. Now onwards, the friendship between you and me is not possible. Your young son who lacked understanding struck me and I bit him. How can I forget that stick’s stroke? How can you forget the pain and grief for your son? “. 

   After saying this, the snake gave him a diamond and said, “Never come to me again. That is why; I am giving you a costly diamond”. Then the snake disappeared into the anthill. The Brahmin took the diamond and returned home, cursing the lack of understanding of his own son. 

   The Moral of the story: Excess of greed is harmful in any circumstances.

Want to read more Fables from the Panchatantra...   Click Here