Æsop's Fables (V. S. Vernon-Jones)/The Heifer and the Ox

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3911609Æsop's Fables: A New Translation — The Heifer and the OxVernon S. Vernon JonesAesop

THE HEIFER AND THE OX

A HEIFER went up to an Ox, who was straining hard at the plough, and sympathised with him in a rather patronising sort of way on the necessity of his having to work so hard. Not long afterwards there was a festival in the village and every one kept holiday: but, whereas the Ox was turned loose into the pasture, the Heifer was seized and led off to sacrifice. “Ah,” said the Ox, with a grim smile, “I see now why you were allowed to have such an idle time: it was because you were always intended for the altar.”