Aesop's Fables, translated by Laura Gibbs (2002)
379. THE FARMER, THE CATTLE AND THE MANURE
Perry 657 (Romulus
Mon. 18)
A certain farmer was using his cattle to haul manure out of the stables.
The cattle complained to the farmer that their labour allowed him to harvest
his wheat and barley crops, supplying his household with ample food year
in and year out. Therefore, said the cattle, it was hardly fair for them
to have to perform the vile task of hauling manure out of the stables.
The farmer then asked, 'Is it not the case that you yourselves are the
source of the substance which you are now carrying away?' The cattle replied,
'Yes, that is true.' The farmer then concluded, 'So, since you are the
ones who made a mess of the stable in your spare time, it is only right
that you should also make some effort to clean it up!'
The same is true of grumbling, arrogant servants: they never stop reproaching
their master if they have done him some good service, heedless of the
rewards that have been bestowed on them, and they would like it if all
of their failures were passed over in silence.
Source:
Aesop's Fables. A new translation by Laura
Gibbs.
Oxford University Press (World's Classics): Oxford, 2002.
NOTE: New
cover, with new ISBN, published in 2008; contents of book unchanged.
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