An Aesop Fable

A snake in the course of its wanderings slithered into an metal worker’s

shop.

As he glided over the floor he felt his skin pricked by a knife lying

there.

In a rage he turned around upon the knife and tried to dart his fangs into it.

But the snake could do no harm to heavy iron

and had soon to get over his anger.

How does the story symbolize the saying, “mean as a snake.”