The Snake's Help

The Snake's Help

Long ago, in a distant kingdom, there stood a grand royal palace. Palm trees rustled beyond its high gates, flowers scented the gardens, and the king's favorite elephant lived in a spacious courtyard. Every day the elephant was taken to a large pool near the town. He waded into the cool water, sprayed his sides with his trunk, and splashed about for a long time, snorting with pleasure. A water snake lived in the same pool. She was small, but she treasured her quiet home among the stones and reeds. When people came to the water, she usually hid on the bottom and waited for them to leave. One hot day, a poor traveler reached the pool. He had walked a long way. Dust covered his feet, and the sun was so fierce that all he wanted was to wash and rest. He bent over the water—and saw the snake. She raised her head right in front of him. The traveler froze. But he did not grab a stone, shout, or try to chase her away. He brought his palms together and spoke politely. “Lady of this water, I don't wish to disturb you. Please let me wash. Could you swim a little to one side, or shelter among the stones?” The snake was surprised. People were often frightened of her. Some threw sticks into the water; others made a terrible noise. This man spoke calmly and respectfully. “You have spoken to me without anger,” said the snake. “For that, I will help you.” The traveler wondered whether he had heard correctly. “Help me?” “Yes. You are poor, but you are considerate. And consideration can be worth more than gold. Listen carefully.” The snake told him that the king's elephant came there every day. He liked to draw water into his trunk and play beside the reeds. “Tomorrow, when the elephant bathes, I will swim very close,” she said. “A tickling feeling will make him snort and shake his head. The servants will worry and lead him back to the palace. Go there and tell them you know how to calm him.” “But I'm not a doctor,” the man said, bewildered. “You needn't pretend to be a great doctor,” she replied. “Just ask for a large jar of clean water. Let the elephant lower his trunk into it. Then say quietly, ‘It's time for the one who's hiding to go home.’ I will hear you and swim out. The elephant will settle down at once.” The traveler did not know what to make of such a strange promise. Still, he thanked the snake and went on his way. The following day, everything happened just as she had said. The royal elephant waded into the pool. He splashed, drew up water, then suddenly snorted loudly and began tossing his trunk. “What's wrong with him?” the servants asked anxiously. The elephant was not ill, but something was clearly troubling him. They led him back to the palace. One keeper brought fragrant herbs, another tried to soothe him, and a third stroked his forehead. Still he snorted and shifted from foot to foot. Word soon spread through the town. The traveler heard the news and went to the palace gates. “I think I know what to do,” he told the guard. They took him before the king. “Can you help my elephant?” the king asked. “Please let me try. All I need is a large jar of clean water, and some quiet.” The king agreed. The jar was set in front of the elephant. The traveler approached slowly, stroked his forehead, and said: “Easy, my friend. No one is going to hurt you.” The elephant stopped shuffling and listened. The man moved the jar closer. The elephant lowered the tip of his trunk into the water. Then the traveler said softly: “It's time for the one who's hiding to go home.” For a moment, nothing happened. Then the water stirred. A little water snake slipped out. She curled beside the rim, looked at the traveler, and glided away toward a garden channel that led back to the pool. The elephant took a deep breath, gave a cheerful snort, and raised his trunk. All his uneasiness was gone. “What a wonder!” cried the servants. The king studied the traveler. “How did you know?” The man did not invent a story about secret medicines or magical knowledge. “I met this snake at the pool yesterday,” he answered honestly. “Instead of chasing her away, I asked her to make room for me. She remembered that kindness and promised to help me. I only did what she told me.” The king thought about this. He liked the fact that the poor man had not taken all the credit. “You know how to listen. You don't panic before you need to, and you tell the truth,” he said. “The palace needs people like that just as much as it needs strong soldiers.” He gave the traveler work, a home, and wages, so that he no longer had to wander the roads looking for his next meal. The water snake returned to her quiet pool. People say the man often visited afterward. He would sit on the bank, leave a little bowl of clean water for the birds, and never disturb the creatures living in the reeds. He had learned that help sometimes comes from the most unexpected places. And respect shown to even the smallest living creature may one day return as a great kindness.

May this story leave a little light in your heart ✨