Story: The Snake and the Parrot

As nature would have it, a snake would be out one evening hunting for its overdue dinner. Shortly, the snake approached a family of parrots. The snake analyzed each member, deciding which parrot would fill his monstrous appetite. Suddenly, the snake realized that he dare not settle for one measly parrot when he could have them all. Gluttony overcame the snake as he used his venomous fangs to strike down each parrot with absolute speed. To his dismay, one parrot was able to escape his fate and fly off into the night.

"I guess three birds will have to do," the snake sighed as he began his meal.

Years later, the snake began to grow bored of the constant fight for food and survival. He loathed other animals that were given compassion by humans. There was no struggle for them. They were given absolute care. The snake thought that no man could ever love him. He wound himself up a tree and came face to face with a parrot resting on a branch. The snake instantly began to arch his neck as he was preparing to strike but something overcame him. The jealously but also burning curiosity of his human dilemma could be answered by this parrot. Humans like parrots after all.

"Tell me something," the snake hissed.

"What is it you would like to know?" the parrot responded.

"Why do humans adore you so?"

"Well, you have to be kind,"

"That's it?"

"Kindness will get you what you desire. I would suggest approaching a human and expressing your wish to be seen as a pet."

"Very well."

The snake gave the parrot a look as if he should consider himself lucky he did not become today's lunch. The snake then slithered off in hope to find a human to show kindness to. After a few minutes, the snake arrived at a farm. He saw a farmer hard at work in the fields. The snake began to grow excited as he began to imagine the start of his new life. He would no longer have to struggle for food. He longed for compassion and he felt as if his dream was about to be a reality. The snake slowly approached the farmer.

"I wish to be kind to you, like a pet would," the snake said to the farmer.

Without hesitation, the farmer lifted up his shovel and killed the snake in one blow. "You cannot fool me, snake," the farmer said in disgust.

As this was happening, the parrot was flying up above. A small grin began to form on his face. The snake that was responsible for the untimely death of his family has ultimately been introduced to a healthy dose of karma.

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Authors note: In the original fable, the same conversation happens between within the parrot and the snake as well as the tragic outcome of the snake. In my rendition, I thought it would be interesting to add somewhat of alternate reasoning for why the snake was ultimately killed. While it seemed as if  there might be a redemption of sorts for the snake, it was really about the parrot seeking revenge. In knowing what would result in the snake's end, he simply pushed the snake in the right direction to allow this fate to occur.

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Bibliography: "The Snake and the Parrot" from Indian Fables by Ramaswami Raju. Web Source.

Image: Snake and Parrot
Source: Malyunok