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.