A Seviper had succeeded in surprising a Braviary and had wrapped himself around the Braviary's neck. The Braviary could not reach the Seviper, neither with beak nor claws. Far into the sky he soared trying to shake off his enemy. But the Seviper's hold only tightened, and slowly the Braviary sank back to earth, gasping for breath.
A Countryman chanced to see the unequal combat. In pity for the noble Braviary he rushed up and soon had loosened the coiling Seviper and freed the Braviary.
The Seviper was furious. He had no chance to bite the watchful Countryman. Instead he struck at the drinking horn, hanging at the Countryman's belt, and into it let fly the poison of his fangs.
The Countryman now went on toward home. Becoming thirsty on the way, he filled his horn at a spring, and was about to drink. There was a sudden rush of great wings. Sweeping down, the Braviary seized the poisoned horn from out his savior's hands, and flew away with it to hide it where it could never be found.
Moral of the story: An act of kindness is well repaid.
A Countryman chanced to see the unequal combat. In pity for the noble Braviary he rushed up and soon had loosened the coiling Seviper and freed the Braviary.
The Seviper was furious. He had no chance to bite the watchful Countryman. Instead he struck at the drinking horn, hanging at the Countryman's belt, and into it let fly the poison of his fangs.
The Countryman now went on toward home. Becoming thirsty on the way, he filled his horn at a spring, and was about to drink. There was a sudden rush of great wings. Sweeping down, the Braviary seized the poisoned horn from out his savior's hands, and flew away with it to hide it where it could never be found.
Moral of the story: An act of kindness is well repaid.