A Farmer's Lesson on Greed: The Tale of the Snake and the Golden Coin

This intriguing tale revolves around a farmer who, after facing crop failures, begins to honor a snake deity by offering milk. His fortunes change when he discovers a golden coin each morning. However, his son's greed leads to a tragic end, teaching a valuable lesson about the perils of avarice. Explore this captivating story that emphasizes the importance of respect and caution against greed.

By Narendra Chaudhary Apr 27, 2026, 03:51 IST

The Farmer's Dilemma

A farmer was facing 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 for his crop failures. The farmer decided to seek forgiveness from the snake deity and vowed to place a bowl of milk in the field as an offering.

That evening, he placed the bowl of milk in the field, and the next morning, he found a golden coin beneath it. Overjoyed, the farmer continued this practice every evening, receiving a golden coin each day.

One day, the farmer needed to leave, so he instructed his son to place the milk in the field and retrieve the bowl and coin in the morning. The son agreed.

That evening, the son followed his father's instructions, but when he went to collect the bowl and coin the next morning, he thought the snake was stingy for only giving one coin each day. He decided to kill the snake to take all its riches. The boy attempted to strike the snake with a stick, but the snake managed to escape and bit the boy in self-defense, resulting in his death.

Moral of the Story

Life Lesson

This story teaches us the dangers of greed. The farmer's son lost his life due to his avarice. Such a fate could befall anyone. Therefore, it is wise to refrain from engaging in wrongful actions.