Zeus and the Downtrodden Snake
Long ago a small snake lived in a green forest. The snake was very calm and never hurt anyone. But people crossed the forest and stepped on its tail. The poor snake was very tired, and its body hurt. At last it decided to ask great Zeus for help. The snake climbed a high mountain and stood before Zeus.
It cried and said, "Master, people show me no respect." "Every day they step on me and hurt me badly." Zeus listened to the snake carefully and smiled at it. The great god understood why the little snake was so sad. Zeus said to it, "People are not the problem here." "The real problem is you: you never protect yourself." Then Zeus went on with a calm and wise voice.
"Bite the first man, and the second one will not dare." The snake understood this lesson and thanked Zeus. It returned to the forest and guarded its own borders. After that day people feared the snake and were careful.
If we do not protect ourselves, people will not respect us.
The squeaky wheel gets the grease.