the man and the serpent

a country man's son by accident trod upon a serpent's tall, which turned and bit him so that the died. the father in a rage got his axe, and pursuing the serpents, cut off part of its tail. so the serpents in revenge began stinging several of the farmer's cattle and caused him severe losses. well, the farmer thought it best to make up with the serpent, and brought food and honey to the mouth of its lair, and said to it: let's  forget and forgive: perhaps you were right to punish my son, and take vengeance on my cattle, but surely I was right in trying to avenge  him now that we are both satisfied why should not we be friends again?

"no, no" said the serpent, take away your gifts: you can never forget the death of your son, not I forget the loss of my tail.