She entered the royal tent, reminded the king of her former services, and seeing his mood somewhat softened, ventured to mention how cleverly Reynard once helped him to judge between the rival claims of a shepherd and a serpent.

The latter, caught in a noose and about to die, had implored a passing shepherd to set it free.

The peasant had done so after exacting a solemn oath from the serpent to do him no harm.

But the serpent, once released, and suffering from the pangs of hunger, threatened to devour the peasant.

The latter called the raven, wolf, and bear, whom he met by the way, to his aid; but as they all hoped to get a share of him, they all decided in favor of the serpent's claim to eat him.
The case by this time had become so intricate that it was laid before the king, who, unable to judge wisely, called Reynard to his aid.