A Serpent's Revenge

Many ages passed and the snake seemed to be laboring in vain. All the other creatures bound to the earth ridiculed him for his foolishness for it was not the place of those bound to the earth to fly. They said he would never be able to nor should he wish to venture into the domain of others. Their words fell on deaf ears as he continued to work with all his might towards his dream of touching the clouds and looking over all the earth.

His many attempts were met with failure after failure, but he was not deterred. Bloodied and bruised, he would go right back to work to improve on his wings. Finally, all the other creatures forgot of the snakes folly and he was left alone to continue in his endeavor. Soon, any time a ridiculous idea was broached, it would be called a snake's folly for a dream that could never be realized.

Forgotten, but not giving up the snake finally believed that he had created the perfect wings that would allow him to soar among the stars and and around the moon. He climbed to the tallest mountain with wings in tow. The creatures of the land were in shock at the mighty wings that he had created. Without hesitation, they all followed him on his journey up the mountain in silence wondering if the snake would finally achieve his dream.

The snake ignored the crowds that had gathered behind him and solely focused on his task at hand. After great labor, he reached the highest peak. With wings fastened, he slipped forth from the highest peak and plummeted down towards the earth. The creatures that had gathered with him at the top screamed in terror as the snake would surely perish from such a fall. Many turned their faces away, too horrified to watch such a tragic ending.

But just as he was nearing the ground, the great wings that he had created unfurled and lifted him back into the sky. The wind surged beneath his wings and carried him higher and higher. His delight ripped forth in a delightful hiss and suddenly all the creatures below him cried out with glee, for he had surely achieved his dream to fly. Up, up, and away he went through the clouds, around the mountain peaks, and over rainbows. His excitement at being able to fly could not be contained. Now he could surely speak with those that he truly admired.

The dragons lived away from the rest of the creatures, but now he soared onward to their lair.

"Look," he cried out to them. "I have created wings to fly like you."

The dragons stirred and came forth from their lair with gleaming eyes and bright scales. "What is this abomination," they exclaimed. "A mere snake like you thinks he could be one of us. Know your place, for it is not in the skies like us. A serpent like you belongs on the ground to slither and skulk with the other beasts." They grew angry and upset with the snake. In a fit of rage they came forth in great force and rent his wings with their mighty claws and then set them ablaze with their searing flames.

The snake in all his astonishment fell back down to earth in a stupor. He had not expected such hostility, but worst of all the wings which he had labored on for so long were now gone. It had take ages to make them and in a twinkling an instant, his dream had vanished as smoke in the wind. The other creatures bound to the land all came hurrying to him, but he would not be consoled. He had lost too much and would not forgive those that had taken his dream.

The snake was crafty and spent many years spying on dragons, and soon found their weakness. Their incessant greed and desire for riches caused them to horde vast mountains of treasure that they forged with their own fiery breath. Seeing such riches, the snake hatched a plot. Most of the creature of the land would not be able to face the dragons, but there were those that would have the tools to do so. 

Hiding out near a village, the snake lured out the humans to speak with them. His voice was soft and sweet, so they listened to him. He regaled them with tales of fabulous riches and wealth beyond imagining. He cultivated greed within them and stirred up feelings of great avarice in each of their hearts.They sought immediately to go find the treasures of the dragons, but they were not ready. Instead, he spent more time with them to help them create the tools that would help them fight the dragons, for he was clever and knew the dragons well. 

With his help, the humans wrought armor and weapons that would resist the dragons fire and strong enough to brush away their fearsome claws. Their aptitude for war surpassed even the serpent's expectations. Finally they were ready to make war upon the dragons.

A mighty and fearsome host swept across the land routing out many dragons and seizing their treasure before hauling it back to be locked in mighty keeps. The dragons were powerless to stop them as their fire could not burn the attackers and their claws could not scratch their armor. They withdrew from their lairs to avoid the brunt of the attacks by the humans.

They convened within a cave to discuss what to do, but the serpent was ever watching and as devious as ever. Secretly, he slithered among them unbeknownst and shouted out great provocations to incense the dragons to war. Soon the dragons in their frenzy flew out to do battle with the humans. 

The humans were prepared and met with the onslaught upon the great plains. Their machines devastated the dragons, casting them down from the sky. Many many dragons fell that day before they were forced to retreat, but the bitterness and hatred towards humans never abated for their lives were eternal and their memory long.

The serpent though was greatly rewarded with the defeat of the dragons and feasted upon many on the day of their defeat. He devoured so many that he soon was too large to remain on land and moved instead to a great lake to conceal his body. The humans were greatly thankful to the serpent for his knowledge and aide that he had provided, and sought to deliver unto him gifts. He refused and desired only that they would bring him offerings of dragon for now he had developed a taste for them.

The humans though knew not of the curse that the serpent had wrought upon them. The wealth that they had accumulated caused greed among themselves ans soon war broke out. Families were torn apart and wars soon ravaged the lands. Seeing the confusion among their old enemies, the dragons sallied forth and attacked areas that had been weakened and seized back their riches. The humans refused to let them go and the dragons and humans were locked in a struggle over the riches for ages and ages.

The serpent in his lake cared little for the wars of dragons and men. He was beyond their power now as he had grown larger than any creature of the earth. However, the wars were his delight as it lead to many a dragon being delivered to the lake in exchange for victory. Thus he could devour dragons and see them struggle in a bitter fight for eternity. 

His enmity spent and revenge burnt out the serpent reposed in the lake to watch the chaos that his words had wrought.