A man was walking along a dusty path. He came upon an injured snake which asked for his help. The man replied, "I'd love to help you but you are a snake and everyone knows that a snake cannot be trusted. If I help you I fear that once you are better you will bring great harm upon me." The snake assured him that he would not do so and would be forever grateful.

The man against his better judgment decided he would help the snake. He cared for him and nourished him back to health. Each day he would bring food to the snake and they would share time together. One day the man came to the snake who was now fully recovered and upon approaching him to provide food, the snake attacked him with a deadly and death assured bite. The man looked upon the snake and asked "But why? I helped you, I nourished you, I trusted you. Why did you do this terrible thing to me?" The snake replied "But my foolish man, you knew I was a snake when you picked me up!"