In the depths of winter, as the biting north wind howled across the land, a kind-hearted farmer happened to pass by a field and spotted a snake frozen stiff, curled up by the roadside, on the brink of death. Moved by compassion, the farmer felt deeply sorry for the poor creature and carefully cradled it in his warm embrace, hoping to use his body heat to revive it. Throughout the journey, the farmer held the snake close to his chest, fearing that even the slightest chill might send it back into freezing cold. Before long, the warmth of the farmer’s body began to seep into the snake, gradually rousing it from its lethargy. But instead of showing gratitude for the farmer’s life‑saving act, the serpent suddenly bared its sharp, venomous fangs and struck a fierce bite straight into the farmer’s chest. The deadly poison spread rapidly through his body, and the farmer collapsed in agony, writhing in excruciating pain. Just before he passed away, he cried out in regret, “How foolish I was—how could I ever have shown mercy to a venomous snake?” In the end, despite every effort to save him, the farmer succumbed to his injuries, while the snake slithered away into the underbrush without a second thought.