The Kind Little Sister

Once upon a time in a tropical land in the Pacific Ocean, there lived three sisters. One day, they decided to go fishing and gather some taro, the root of a plant that can be eaten. In case they felt hungry, they set off along a forest path.

By and by, the eldest sister, who was some way ahead of the others, came across a snake lying on the path. The snake raised its head and said, “I am very hungry. Will you share a little of the taro in your bag so that I can eat too?”

“Certainly not,” replied the eldest sister. “My food is not for anything as nasty as a snake.” And so, saying, she walked away.

Presently, the second sister came to where the snake was lying across the path. The snake raised its head and said, “Please, could you share a little of the taro root you are holding and give it to me, for I am very hungry?”

“I will do no such thing,” replied the second sister. “This food is mine and I have no intention of sharing it with a snake!”

It was not long before the third and youngest sister came skipping down the path. The snake raised its head and said, “Do not be afraid of me. I only wish to eat some of the taro you are holding in your hand. Perhaps you could chew some of it for me.”

“You can certainly have some of my taro,” she replied. The girl sat down beside the snake and chewed the root until it was soft enough for the snake to eat. When it had finished, she asked if it would like some more. “No, thank you,” replied the snake. “I am no longer hungry, but tell me, where were you going when I stopped you?”

“I was going to the river to fish,” said the girl.

“Here is a piece of advice that you would be wise to listen to,” said the snake. “If you hear a single roll of thunder in the heavens, you may continue to fish. But if you hear three rolls of thunder, then run to the nearest hill as fast as you can.”

There was no sign of her sisters when the young girl reached the river, so she settled down on the bank and cast out her fishing line. Suddenly, she heard a roll of thunder and remembered what the snake had told her. She continued fishing.

As she collected her fish, she indeed heard three rolls of thunder. She immediately packed her things and ran to safety just as a downpour began. Upon reaching a high hill, she was safe and recalled the snake’s warning that had saved her from the sudden storm. She felt grateful for the wisdom shared through her act of kindness.