The White Snake

Quick Answer

Why This Story Works for Bedtime

It’s magical and thoughtful, with lots of animal moments. The ending is hopeful, and the core message—listen carefully, be kind—fits bedtime beautifully.

Story Synopsis

A king keeps a secret dish that no one may see. One day, a curious servant peeks and finds the meal is a white snake. He tastes a small piece—and at once he can understand the language of animals. Birds, frogs, and insects suddenly make sense to him, and he learns that small voices carry real information. The gift quickly causes trouble. The servant overhears animals talking about the king’s affairs and is drawn into court problems he didn’t choose. Though he is honest, suspicion falls on him, and he is forced to leave and make his own way. On the road, his ability becomes a guide. He helps creatures in need—freeing fish, rescuing ants, aiding birds—and those small acts of kindness return later like quiet promises. He reaches a kingdom where a princess will marry only the man who can complete a near‑impossible task. The servant is asked to retrieve a ring lost in the sea. It seems hopeless—until the animals he once helped come to repay him. Fish dive, ants search, birds bring news. With their help, the servant succeeds. He wins the princess’s hand, not through force, but through empathy and the friendships he formed with the overlooked world. The White Snake is a fairy tale about listening—how kindness to small lives can echo back as help when you need it most.

Story Excerpt

Long ago, there lived a king known throughout the land for his great wisdom. Nothing remained hidden from him. People said he knew things as if secrets floated to him on the wind. This king had a curious habit. Every day after dinner, when the table was cleared and everyone had left the hall, a trusted servant would bring him one final dish. The dish was always covered. The servant never looked inside, and no one else knew what it held. The king ate from it only when he was completely alone. This went on for many years. Then one day, as the servant carried the covered dish back to the kitchen, curiosity overcame him. He could not resist. He carried the dish to his own small room, locked the door carefully, and lifted the cover. Inside lay a white snake. The servant stared at it. Something about the pale, gleaming creature called to him. Before he could stop himself, he cut off a small piece and tasted it. The moment it touched his tongue, he heard a strange rustling outside his window. He went to listen. A group of sparrows sat on the sill, chattering to one another about the day's adventures in the fields and woods. To his amazement, he understood every word they said.

In One Glance