A Farmer's Encounter with a Snake: A Lesson in Greed

This intriguing tale revolves around a farmer who, after facing crop failures, begins to offer milk to a snake deity. His initial joy turns to tragedy when his son, driven by greed, attempts to harm the snake. This story serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of avarice and the importance of ethical behavior. Read on to uncover the full narrative and its profound lesson.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 9, 2026, 12:28 IST

The Farmer's Dilemma

A farmer faced repeated failures with his crops and was at a loss for what to do. After much contemplation, he recalled the presence of a snake's den in his field. However, he had never offered prayers to the snake deity.

This neglect might be the reason behind his crop failures. The farmer decided to seek forgiveness from the snake deity and vowed to place a bowl of milk in his field as an offering.

The Unexpected Reward

That evening, the farmer placed a bowl of milk in the field. The next morning, when he returned to collect it, he discovered a gold coin beneath the bowl. Overjoyed, he continued this ritual every evening, receiving a gold coin each day.

One day, the farmer had to leave for a while, so he instructed his son to continue the offering of milk in the evening and to collect the bowl and coin in the morning. The son agreed, saying, 'Sure, father.'

A Fatal Mistake

The son went to the field that evening and placed the milk. However, when he returned the next morning to collect the bowl and coin, he thought to himself that the snake was quite stingy, only providing one coin each day. He devised a plan to kill the snake, believing he could take all the money from its den.

With this intention, the boy attempted to strike the snake with a stick. Fortunately for the snake, it managed to escape, but in the process, it bit the farmer's son, leading to his untimely death.

Moral of the Story

This tale teaches us the importance of avoiding greed. The farmer's son lost his life due to his avarice. Such a fate could befall anyone, so it is wise to refrain from contemplating wrongful actions.