On a cold winter day, a farmer returned from working in the fields and saw a snake by the roadside, almost freezing stiff.
The snake shivered and said, “Please, help me! I’m so cold!”
The farmer, being a kind-hearted person, felt sorry for the snake and decided to take it home.
However, a sparrow in the tree stopped him, saying, “This is a venomous snake! It has bitten several people these days! If you save it, you’ll be putting yourself in danger!”
Nevertheless, the farmer still picked up the snake, cradled it in his arms, and took it home.
In the warmth of the farmer’s embrace, the snake quickly regained its strength.
But once they reached home, it became more active and viciously bit the farmer.
The farmer said, “Why did you bite me after I saved you?”
The snake replied, “It’s your own fault for not seeing clearly. I am a snake, and moreover, a venomous one that bites people.”
The sparrow perched at the window watched the dying farmer and sighed, “When helping others, one must discern whether they are good or bad, or else it will only bring harm upon oneself.”
As the farmer fell, nearing his end, he said, “I saved a venomous snake, ultimately harming myself. This is my retribution! But I realized it too late.”
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