One wintry day a Woodman was tramping home from work when saw something black lying on the snow. When he came closer he saw it was a Snake - to all appearance dead. But he took it up and put it in chest to warm while he hurried home.

As soon as he got indoors he put the Snake down on the hearth before the fire.

The children watched it and smiled when they saw slowly come to life again. Then one of stooped down to stroke it, but the Snake raised head and put out its fangs and was about to sting the child to death. So the Woodman seized axe, and with one stroke cut the Snake in two.

"Ah," said , "no gratitude from the wicked."