Fable 82 - The Ploughman and the Frozen Snake

One winter, a ploughman, found a snake stiff with cold. He took pity on it, picked it up and put it under his shirt. When the snake
had warmed up again against the man’s chest, it reverted to its nature, struck out and killed its benefactor. When he realized that
he was dying, the man bemoaned:
‘I well deserve it, for taking pity on a wicked wretch.’

This fable shows that perversity of nature does not change under the influence of kindness.