“Why shouldn’t I?” asked the ox. “What harm does it do?”
“When I’m in harness,” replied the horse, “I like to work, and not go to sleep.”
“I have to do my share of work,” said the ox; “there’s no doubt about that. If you’ll wait till I get the word, you’ll see how I pull. When I come to a heavy hill, I stop chewing the cud; but as soon as I come to a level place, I begin again. For even while I’m at work I take all the comfort I can.”
“‘Comfort’!” exclaimed the horse. “Is that your aim? Mine is to pass every other team on the road.”
“Ah, well!” said the ox, “that sounds very fine,
But just look at your ribs, and then look at mine!”
He who cannot be happy as long as he sees another more fortunate or successful than himself, whatever else he may gain, will never know peace and content.
