The Heifer and the Ox

Summary

The story centers around a Heifer and an Ox, presenting an allegorical teaching about envy and understanding one's fortunes. The Heifer mocks the Ox for its laborious life of pulling a plow, feeling superior due to its own seemingly carefree existence. However, when the harvest festival arrives, the roles reverse as the Ox is released from work, while the Heifer is sacrificed as part of the celebrations. This tale highlights the unintended consequences of idleness and envy, illustrating that situations which appear advantageous may have unforeseen downsides, and teaches a lesson on perspective and the unpredictable nature of outcomes.

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A Heifer saw an Ox hard at work harnessed to a plow, and tormented him with reflections on his unhappy fate in being compelled to labor. Shortly afterwards, at the harvest festival, the owner released the Ox from his yoke, but bound the Heifer with cords and led him away to the altar to be slain in honor of the occasion. The Ox saw what was being done, and said with a smile to the Heifer: “For this you were allowed to live in idleness, because you were presently to be sacrificed.”