Folk Tale

The Farmer and the Frozen Viper

Translated From

Γεωργὸς καὶ ὄφις ὑπὸ κρύους πεπηγώς

AuthorΑἴσωπος
LanguageAncient Greek

Other Translations / Adaptations

Text titleLanguageAuthorPublication Date
Y dyn a’r neidrWelshGan Glan Alun1887
The Man and the ViperEnglishAmbrose Bierce_
U viddhanu e a visina aggragnata ri fridduSicilian__
AuthorLaura Gibbs
LanguageEnglish
OriginGreece

A farmer picked up a viper that was half-dead from the cold. When the farmer had warmed the viper, the viper uncoiled and grabbed hold of the man's hand and with a fatal bite, he killed the man who had wanted to save him. As he was dying, the man spoke some words that are well worth remembering: 'Well, I got what I deserve for having shown kindness to a scoundrel!'


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