Page:Chinese Fables and Folk Stories.djvu/25

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THE ANIMALS' PEACE PARTY
21

The old cow said, "Moo, Moo," and shook her head sadly. The tired old horses groaned, "Huh, Huh," and never spoke a word.

The leader said, "My friends, it is best not to worry about things we can not know. We do not seem to understand our Master.

"It will soon be time for the New Year feast day; so, good night. And may the pig people live in the world as long and happily as the horses and the oxen, although our Peace Party did not succeed."

On their way home the little pigs made a big noise, and every one said, "We, we! We win, we win!"

Then the old horses and oxen talked among themselves. "We are stronger, wiser, and more useful than the pigs," they said. "Why does the Master treat us so?"

Ee-Sze (Meaning): Why have some more power than others? Only one knows. Why have some longer life than others? Only one knows. Why do some try and not succeed; while others do not try and yet they do succeed? Only one knows.