Short Answer
The story depicts a Man who helps a Snake but seeks advice from three animals about the potential danger. While the Hyena and Rabbit advocate for letting the Snake bite due to past grievances, the Jackal advises caution and emphasizes verifying intentions before acting, teaching the Man the importance of discernment in relationships and the risks of trusting those with a hostile history.
Step 1: Seeking Advice
In the story, the Man encounters a Snake that is trapped under a rock and decides to help. After lifting the rock, the Snake threatens to bite him. To understand the situation better, the Man consults three animals for their opinions: the Hyena, the Rabbit, and the Jackal. This quest for advice highlights the importance of perspective and the need for caution when making decisions based on trust.
Step 2: Evaluating the Advice
The advice given by the animals varies significantly. Both the Hyena and the Rabbit suggest that the Snake should be allowed to bite the Man due to past grievances against humans. However, the Jackal provides the most valuable guidance by questioning the Snake’s claim and advocating for the Man’s safety. The Jackal encourages the Man to not lift the rock again, emphasizing the necessity of verifying intentions before making any actions.
Step 3: Lessons Learned
The story ultimately teaches the Man a crucial lesson about discernment in relationships. By relying on the Jackal’s advice, he realizes that trusting those who have previously shown hostility can lead to potential harm. This reinforces the idea that one should be cautious in interactions, especially with those whose motives may be questionable. The setting in nature further encapsulates this moral as the animals symbolize various aspects of trust and betrayal.