The Two Dogs

Summary

This story is a fable about a man who owns two dogs with distinct roles: a Hound for hunting and a Housedog for guarding the home. After successful hunting trips, the man rewards both dogs equally, despite their different contributions. The Hound feels it is unfair that the Housedog, who does not participate in the hard work of hunting, receives the same rewards. The Housedog responds by pointing out that it is the master's responsibility for not training him to hunt, implying that each has been assigned their role by the master, and it is not within their power to change how labor is rewarded. The story delivers a lesson on contentment with one’s role and the fairness (or lack thereof) in systems dictated by others.

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A Man had two dogs: a Hound, trained to assist him in his sports, and a Housedog, taught to watch the house. When he returned home after a good day’s sport, he always gave the Housedog a large share of his spoil. The Hound, feeling much aggrieved at this, reproached his companion, saying, “It is very hard to have all this labor, while you, who do not assist in the chase, luxuriate on the fruits of my exertions.” The Housedog replied, “Do not blame me, my friend, but find fault with the master, who has not taught me to labor, but to depend for subsistence on the labor of others.”