The Farmer and the Mouse (Adapted Fable)
One bitter winter day, a farmer walked back to his cottage after finishing farm work. He found a tiny mouse shivering violently beside the stone wall, half-frozen by the freezing wind.
Moved by sympathy, the farmer picked up the frail mouse carefully. He put it inside his thick wool coat next to his chest, letting his body heat warm the little creature up.
Little by little, the warmth woke the mouse from its stiff cold state. As soon as it regained strength, it bit the farmer’s chest without hesitation.
Sharp pain spread all over the farmer. Lying there weak and hurting, he asked the mouse sadly, “Why did you hurt me? I saved you from freezing to death.”
The mouse squeaked coldly, “Stealing and biting is my instinct. You knew mice harm people when you saved me. Do not blame me for following my nature.”
The farmer sighed heavily as his strength faded away. “I was stupid to be kind to a creature born to cause trouble, and now I suffer for my soft heart.”
Moral
Pure kindness will not alter someone’s harmful instincts. Do not waste your mercy on those who repay your goodwill with damage.