A man found a snake frozen on the ground and picked it up and put it in his bosom. The snake, quickened to life through the warmth, coiled itself round the man and tried to kill him. To requite evil for good, the shake said, was the way of the world. They brought the case before King David.
On the way they met an ox, who decided in favour of the snake. So also did an ass and finally King David did likewise, for it is written that the ‘Snake shall bruise the heel’. When they left the court, they found Solomon, still a lad, playing near the well. His stick had fallen into the water and no one could succeed in getting it.
Solomon then ordered his servants to widen the conduit; thus the water would fill the well. It rose and they were able to take the stick. Greatly impressed, the old man aske Solomon for advice. He obtained the permission of David to judge the case.
Asked by Solomon, the snake replied that it had acted according to the word of the Lord and then Solomon said, “Abide by the Word of the Lord,” which commands the two parties to stand before the judge. The snake was to uncoil itself and stand apart from the old man on the ground before him. The snake did so and Solomon told the old man to “bruise its head” with the stick which he was holding, for so it was written in the Law. He did so and killed the snake.