Pagina 178 di 274

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."

THE KINGDOM OF THE LION