Explore "Lord and Master: the Story of the Man who Understood the Language of the Animals" by Parker Fillmore on Textopian.
There was once a young shepherd, an honest industrious fellow, who passed most of his time in the hills looking after his master's flocks. One afternoon he happened upon a bush which some gipsies had set a-fire. As he stopped to watch it he heard a strange hissing, whistling sound. He went as close as he could and in the center of the bush which the flames had not yet reached he saw a snake. It was writhing and trembling in fear.
"Help me, brother! " the snake said. "Help me and I will reward you richly! I swear I will!"