The Hen and the Vipers

A hen who had patiently hatched a brood of vipers was approached by a swallow. The swallow exclaimed, "What a fool you are to give life to creatures that will reward you by destroying you!"

The hen calmly replied, "I am a little bit on the destructive side myself," as she tranquilly swallowed one of the little reptiles. "It is not an act of folly to provide oneself with the delicacies of the season."