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THE
SERPENT
This is a story
that was told to me when I was young, and it has remained ever meaningful to me.
I am sure it is worded differently by the author, but this is the story as told
from my memory.
One winter's day, a small Indian boy wandered into the mountains.
When he reached the top, he happened upon a beautiful rattlesnake lying in the
freezing mountain air.
The snake pleaded with the boy, "Please carry me safely to the
bottom of the mountain so that I may live. I am so weak and hungry; I will die
soon without warmth or food. If you do that, I will be your friend
for life, and I will never forget your generosity."
The little Indian boy refused, "Oh, no, Mr. Snake!! All my life my
forefathers have warned me of your bite. They have told me that one bite from
your vicious fangs would cause me to die quickly. I am sorry, Mr. Snake, but I
must obey my forefathers!"
Again, the snake pleaded, repeatedly promising eternal friendship
for saving him from such a perilous position. Repeatedly the little Indian boy
refused, repeatedly quoting his forefathers. But the snake kept begging.
As dark progressed, the little boy began to think about how nice it would be to
have a lifelong friend-- a serpent that was such a vicious creature. What a
reputation for a little Indian boy to hold among his peers!! Finally the
little boy agreed.
He reached down and picked up the weakened snake and carefully
placed it inside his warm jacket. He lovingly shared his only food with the
snake and softly sang to him songs--songs his forefathers had sang throughout
his youth. As he walked down the long winding path, he was in constant thought
about how he could convince his forefathers that they had been wrong about such
a beautiful creature. As he came closer to the foot of the mountain, he could
feel the snake moving and becoming stronger. How proud the little boy was as he
thought, "I have saved the life of this beautiful rattlesnake who will be my
friend forever."
Finally, they arrive at their destination. The little boy carefully
removes the healthy snake from his jacket and beams with accomplishment, "There,
Mr. Snake, you are free!" At that moment, the snake's fangs protruded, and he
quickly struck the young Indian boy.
As the young Indian boy walks away, knowing that he is certain to
die, he painfully and regretfully cries, "But you promised you would be my
friend." The rattlesnake quickly and arrogantly responded, "YOU KNEW WHAT I WAS
WHEN YOU PICKED ME UP."
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 "My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes
observe my ways." (Prov. 23:26.)
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The journey of a thousand miles begins with the first
step--Watch your step!!
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