A poor farmer named Haridatta discovers a serpent living in an anthill, which he believes to be a guardian deity of his field. To honor it, he offers milk daily, receiving a gold denar in return. One day, Haridatta's son, motivated by greed, decides to kill the serpent to claim its treasure. He strikes the serpent with a cudgel but is bitten and dies instantly. When Haridatta returns home and learns of his son's death, he mourns deeply. Eventually, he returns to the anthill to honor the serpent again. The serpent appears, revealing its anger over the son's actions and the greed that led to the tragedy. It gives Haridatta a pearl as a parting gift, stating that their friendship is over and instructing him not to return. Haridatta leaves, reflecting on his son's folly and the consequences of greed.
By Joseph Jacobs · First published 1894 · Genre: Fable, Fantasy, Folklore