Once, an ass was hungry. He looked around for something to eat but did not find anything. He saw a horse eating food. He requested the horse, “Please spare me a small portion of your feed as I am hungry.” The horse replied, “Yes I will, only if something remains after I have eaten my food.” The ass was very disappointed. Then, the horse continued, “The only reason I will be giving you food would be because of my own dignity. If you will come to my stall in the evening, I will give you a sack full of barley.” The ass retorted, “Thank you. But I do not believe that you, who refuse to spare a little of your feed now, will give me something much bigger later.” The horse did not know what to say and the ass walked away.
The Hungry Ass and the Horse
