Æsop. (Sixth century B.C.) Fables. The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.
The Serpent and the File
A SERPENT in the course of its wanderings came into an armourer’s shop. As he glided over the floor he felt his skin pricked by a file lying there. In a rage he turned round upon it and tried to dart his fangs into it; but he could do no harm to heavy iron and had soon to give over his wrath.
