Once, a weary traveler was hiking through a dense forest. Exhausted from the challenging journey, he decided to rest under a shady tree. As sleep overcame him, a wise horseman approached from a distance and noticed something alarming: a black snake had settled on the sleeping man’s face.
Concerned for the traveler’s safety, the horseman prepared to dismount his horse when he saw the snake slither into the man’s mouth, disappearing into his stomach. Panic surged through him as he contemplated how to save the traveler from this dire situation.
An idea struck him. He called out, “You need to eat! Pick up those apples over there and start eating them, or I will have to take drastic measures!”
Confused and groggy, the traveler reluctantly began to eat the fallen apples. As he filled his stomach, nausea washed over him, but the horseman pressed on, “Now run! If you stop to breathe, I will strike you!”
Despite feeling sick, the traveler stumbled forward, desperate to comply. As he ran, exhaustion took hold, and he fell to the ground, crying out, “What have I done to deserve this? Why are you punishing me? If you have a grudge against me, just end it now!”
The horseman replied calmly, “If you want to survive, keep running. You’ll understand soon enough.”
Despair filled the traveler’s heart as he continued to sprint, but the apples churned in his stomach, making him feel worse. Eventually, he collapsed, unable to run any longer.
In a moment of desperation, he vomited, and to his horror, the black snake emerged. Trembling in fear, he realized the danger he had narrowly escaped.
As he lay there, he looked up at the horseman and said, “Thank you for saving my life. You are truly an angel of mercy. I did not understand your intentions, but now I see that you acted out of kindness. If I had recognized your true nature, I would have praised you instead of cursing you. My ignorance nearly cost me my life.”
The wise horseman smiled and replied, “Sometimes, what we perceive as burdens can be blessings in disguise. An enemy may act in ways that seem harsh, but it is better than the ignorance of a so-called friend. Just as parents and teachers guide children through tough lessons, we must learn to trust that struggles can lead to growth. It is easy to resent guidance when one is unaware of its purpose, but true wisdom lies in understanding the lessons behind our trials.”
Life Lesson
In Snake in Stomach this tale teaches us that what we perceive as hardships may actually be the mercies we need. An apparent enemy can serve as a better guide than a friend blinded by ignorance. Recognizing the value in challenges can pave the way for a brighter future.
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