A young girl was trudging along a mountain path, trying to reach her grandmother's house.  It was bitter cold, and the wind cut like a knife.

When she was within sight of her destination, she heard a rustle at her feet.  Looking down, she saw a snake. Before she could move, the snake spoke to her.  He said, "I am about to die.  It is too cold for me up here and I am freezing. There is no food in these mountains, and I am starving. Please put me under your coat and take me with you."

"No," replied the girl. "I know your kind. You are a rattlesnake. If I pick you up, you will bite me, and your bite is poisonous."

"No, no," said the snake. "If you help me, you will be my best friend. I will treat you differently."

The little girl sat down on a rock for a moment. She looked at the beautiful markings on the snake and had to admit that it was the most beautiful snake she had ever seen.  Suddenly, she said, "I believe you. I will save you."  The little girl reached over, put the snake gently under her coat and proceeded toward her grandmother's house.

Within a moment, she felt a sharp pain in her side. The snake had bitten her.

"How could you do this to me?" she cried. "You promised that you would not bite me, and I trusted you!"

"You knew what I was when you picked me up," hissed the snake as he slithered away.