L'Estrange: A Boy and a Snake

A Boy was groping for Eels, and laid his hand upon a Snake, but the Snake, finding that it was pure Simplicity, and not Malice, admonish’d him of his Mistake: Keep your self well while you are well, says the Snake; for if you meddle with me, you’ll repent your Bargain.

‘Tis the Intention, morally speaking, that makes the Action good or bad; and even Brutes themselves, will put a Difference betwixt Harms of Ill-Will and Mischance.

Source: L'Estrange 131.

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Here is a picture of a water snake (source).

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(This is similar to the story of the boy and the scorpion: M0661 Perry199)