A snake tried to shed his skin by pulling it off over his head, but,
being unable to do so, was advised by a woodman to slip out of it in
the usual way.
"But," said the serpent, "this is the way _you_ do it!"
"True," exclaimed the woodman, holding out the hem of his tunic; "but
you will observe that my skin is brief and open. If you desire one
like that, I think I can assist you."
So saying, he chopped off about a cubit of the snake's tail.