He doth insist on repaying promptly.
All that day the ass who had only intended to help his friend found himself compelled to do the ox’s task. When night came and he was released from the plow his heart was bitter and his legs were weary and his neck was sore where the how had chafed it.
The farmer lingered in the barnyard to listen.
The ox began first. ‘You are my good friend. Because of your wise advice I have enjoyed a day of rest.’
‘And I,’ retorted the ass, ‘am like many another simple hearted fool who starts to help a friend and ends up by doing his task for him. Hereafter you draw your own plow, for I did hear the master tell the slave to send for the butcher were you sick again. I wish he would, for yon are a lazy fellow.’ Thereafter they spoke to each other no more—this ended their friendship. Canst thou tell the moral to this tale, Rodan?”
“ ’Tis a good tale,” responded Rodan, “but I see not the moral.”
“I thought not that you would. But it is there and simple, too. Just this: If thou desire to help thy friend do so in a way that will not bring thy friend’s burdens upon thyself.”
—23—
