Aesop

The Hen and the Swallow

Summary

In this story, a hen finds viper eggs and decides to nurture and keep them warm until they hatch. Observing the situation, a swallow questions the hen's decision, warning that once the vipers grow, they will likely cause harm, starting with the hen herself. The tale serves as a cautionary lesson about the consequences of nurturing potential danger without foresight. It illustrates the importance of recognizing and addressing risks before they develop into more significant threats, highlighting themes of wisdom and the dangers of good intentions when not thought through.

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A Hen finding the eggs of a viper and carefully keeping them warm, nourished them into life. A Swallow, observing what she had done, said, “You silly creature! why have you hatched these vipers which, when they shall have grown, will inflict injury on all, beginning with yourself?”

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