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The Shepherd Who Knew the Language of Animals

Story Stats

Rating: 4
Grade Level: 4, 5
Page count: 17

Author

Rudolfo
Anaya

Appeared in

My Land Sings: Stories From the Rio Grande

Story Summary

When a young shepherd saves a snake from the flames of a fire on the llano, the snake's mother grants him his wish of understanding the language of animals but with the proviso that he tell no one lest he die. His gift leads to wealth but when he refuses tell his wife how he got wealthy, his secrecy leads to difficulties in his marriage.