There was a farmer named Gopalan lived in my village. One day, he was going to a nearby stream to take his morning bath.

On the way, he found two snakes mating. Afraid of snakes, he threw a stone to divert them from the pavement. Unfortunately, the stone hit one of the snakes and it died on the spot. In the scurry, the other snake disappeared somewhere.
Though saddened by his instinctive act, Gopalan proceeded towards the stream. But a gloom of vengeance was following him…a few feet behind.

The time he stepped on to the river, something struck him from behind. It was the other snake, which had lost its mate. Before him drawing enough time to think, the snake nibbled him... sinking its teeth deep into his thighs.

Gopalan screamed! Beyond trees, walls, fields and people….

He tried pulling the snake out. But it pained him more and more. Blood started spurting like a spray.

Gopalan felt dizziness as he found things around him fading. He fell down.

One of the men carried a knife with him. He pulled the snake with one hand and cut it into two. With pain, Gopalan opened his eyes. He said…’it was my mistake…I killed its mate….’ And he closed his eyes. It never opened again.

It was a non-poisonous snake. But he died because of a nerve breakdown.

With a charming insolence, the steam carried away the red drops of that great revenge.