The Traveller's Adventure

” But before the man could speak the fox cried out, “Dost thou not know that the recompense for good is always evil? But what good hast thou done in behalf of this snake, to render thee worthy of punishment?” The man related his story. The fox replied, “Thou seemest an intelligent person, why then dost thou tell me an untruth?

How can it be proper for him that is wise to speak falsely? How can it become an intelligent man to state an untruth?”

The snake said, “The man speaks truly, for behold the bag in which he rescued me.” The fox, putting on the garb of astonishment, said, “How can I believe this thing? How could a large snake such as thou be contained in so small a space?” The snake said, “If thou doubt me, I will again enter the bag to prove it.” The fox said, “Truly if I saw thee there, I could believe it, and afterwards settle the dispute between thee and this man.” On this the traveller opened the bag, and the snake, annoyed at the disbelief of the fox, entered it; which observing, the fox cried out, “O young man, when thou hast caught thine enemy, show him no quarter.

When an enemy is vanquished, and in thy power, It is the maxim of the wise to show him no mercy.”

The traveller took the hint of the fox, fastened the mouth of the bag, and, dashing it against a stone, destroyed the snake, and thus saved mankind from the evil effects of its wicked propensities.