mmxgn@0: a countryman 's son by accident trod upon a serpent 's tail which turned and bit him so that he died
mmxgn@0: the father in a rage got his axe and pursuing the serpent cut off part of its tail
mmxgn@0: so the serpent in revenge began stinging several of the farmer 's cattle and caused him severe loss
mmxgn@0: well the farmer thought it best to make it up with the serpent and brought food and honey to the mouth of its lair and said to it
mmxgn@0: let 's forget and forgive
mmxgn@0: perhaps you were right to punish my son and take vengeance on my cattle but surely i was right in trying to revenge him
mmxgn@0: now that we are both satisfied why should not we be friends again
mmxgn@0: no no
mmxgn@0: said the serpent
mmxgn@0: take away your gifts
mmxgn@0: you can never forget the death of your son nor i the loss of my tail