It is related that a man, mounted upon a camel, in the course of
travelling arrived at a place where others from the same caravan had
lighted a fire before proceeding on their journey. The fan-like wind,
breathing on the embers, had produced a flame; and the sparks, flying
over the jungle, the dry wood had become ignited, and the whole plain
glowed like a bed of tulips.
In the midst of this was an enormous snake, which, encircled by the
flames, possessed no means of escape, and was about to be broiled like
a fish, or kabobed like a partridge for the table. Blood oozed from
its poison-charged eyes; and, seeing the man and the camel, it thus
supplicated for assistance--
"What if in kindness thou vouchsafe me thy pity;
Loosen the knot with which my affairs are entangled."
Now the traveller was a good man, and one who feared God. When he
heard the complaint of the snake, and saw its pitiable condition, he
reasoned thus with himself: "This snake is, indeed, the enemy of man,
but being in trouble and perplexity, it would be most commendable in
me to drop the seed of compassion, the fruit of which is prosperity in
this world, and exaltation in the next." Thus convinced, he fastened
one of his saddle-bags to the end of his spear, and extended it to the
snake, which, delighted at escape, entered the bag, and was rescued
from the flames. The man then opening the mouth of the bag, addressed
it thus: "Depart whither thou wilt, but forget not to offer up
thanksgiving for thy preservation; henceforth seek the corner of
retirement, and cease to afflict mankind, for they who do so are
dishonest in this world and the next--
Fear God--distress no one;
This indeed is true salvation."
The snake replied, "O young man, hold thy peace, for truly I will not
depart until I have wounded both thee and this camel."
The man cried out, "But how is this? Have I not rendered thee a
benefit? Why, then, is such to be my recompense?
On my part there was faithfulness,
Why then this injustice upon thine?"
The snake said, "True, thou hast shown mercy, but it was to an
unworthy object; thou knowest me to be an agent of injury to mankind,
consequently, when thou savedst me from destruction, thou subjectedst
thyself to the same rule that applies to the punishment due for an
evil act committed against a worthy object.
"Again, between the snake and man there is a long-standing enmity, and
they who employ foresight hold it as a maxim of wisdom to bruise the
head of an enemy; to thy security my destruction was necessary, but,
in showing mercy, thou hast forfeited vigilance. It is now necessary
that I should wound thee, that others may learn by thy example."
The man cried, "O snake, call but in the counsel of justice; in what
creed is it written, or what practice declares, that evil should be
returned for good, or that the pleasure of conferring benefits should
be returned by injury and affliction?"
The snake replied, "Such is the practice amongst men. I act according
to thy own decree; the same commodity of retribution I have purchased
from thee I also sell.