The Buffaloes and the Log
A pair of Buffaloes were harnessed to a heavy piece of elm wood, and were dragging it along.
“You are stupid,” said the Log, reproachfully, “for when you are hitched to a light burden like me, why do you not gallop?”
“Poor wretch!” they replied, “we should doubtlessly move more quickly if we were not fastened to you. But if we moved quickly now, another log would be placed on top of you, to make up the load, and we do not wish to see you broken down by exhaustion.”
This answer plunged the Log into profound thought.
The proverbial expression—“the Buffaloes’ answer”—a pretext for laziness—is founded on this fable.