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Aesop's Fables, translated by Laura Gibbs (2002)

114. THE DONKEY, THE HORSE AND THE BARLEY
Perry 571 (Ademar 58)

A donkey asked a horse to give him a nibble of barley. The horse replied, 'If only I could, I would do so gladly! Indeed, I would give you a great deal of barley, since I am a noble and generous character. When we return to the stable together this evening, I promise to give you an entire sack of grain.' The donkey then said to the horse, 'If you refuse to do me even this small favour now, why should I expect a still bigger favour in the future?'
For people who make big promises while refusing even small requests: they are quick to promise but reluctant to give.


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.