The Snake That Showed the Way
Once upon a time, at the edge of an old forest where the cool waters flowed gently, there lived a young hunter. This hunter had set out on a hard journey to find the lost and mysterious jewel of the country. After walking for days, he decided to rest in the shade of a silvery rock covered with ivy. Just then a huge snake, whose emerald green scales glittered under the sun, came gliding into view. The deep wisdom in the snake's gaze calmed the fear in the young man's heart and left its place to a great curiosity. Speaking with a human voice, the snake asked the young man's intention and reminded him that the road was full of dangers.
"The jewel you seek is inside the golden cage guarded by the monster on the top of the smoky mountain," said the wise snake. The hunter told with sorrow of his helplessness and that he could never defeat the huge creature alone. The guiding snake smiled and said to him, "Instead of brute force you must always use your mind and your patience." Then it held out to the young hunter three magic scales that would let him catch the weakest moment of the monster. "When you scatter these scales to the wind one after another, the monster will fall into a deep sleep," it whispered. The young man thanked the wise creature and began to climb with determined steps toward the misty summit.
He easily overcame the hard obstacles that met him along the way by remembering the advice of the snake. When he reached the summit, he threw the emerald scales one by one over the roaring monster. When the magic scales glittered, the monster gave in to its heavy eyelids and fell into a deep sleep. The hunter calmly took the golden cage and managed to save the priceless jewel of his country. Returning home in victory, the young man owed his success not to the strength of his arm, but to the guiding mind of the wise snake. The person who listens to the word of the right guide finds the light even on the darkest roads. He who asks for counsel has crossed the mountains; he who asks none has lost his way on the level road.