The Ox and the Cow

19 The Ox and the Cow An ox, as we all know, is born to work. Day after day, week after week, year after year, the faithful ox is kept in a harness. He pulls the plow, making it possible to grow food in the fields. From sunrise to sunset, the farmer makes the ox work. And working in the hot fields all day is not an easy job. One day at the edge of the field, a fat cow stood eating fresh green grass and watched the ox work under the heavy load. Each time the ox passed, the cow shouted out, tormenting the ox, " Ox, you are my brother, but you work hard all day. It is your fate in life to work and work. Look at me, Ox! Do you see the happy, easy life the farmer has given me? Don't you wish you were so fortunate?" The ox was a faithful worker. He heard the words of the cow and was hurting inside. But he said nothing. He simply tensed his muscles, bent low and pulled the plow even harder. This went on all summer long. The cow teased the ox with unkind words about his misfortunes as a beast of burden. And yet, the ox toiled under the hot sun.