The Proud Cow

Note: It's funny when people question why we 'waste time' on doing the very things that go towards making them profit. Quality work involves good preparation which in turn calls for investing time. An efficient worker will always have his pride.

A village cow gave very good milk. Each morning, she would eat green grass on the high slopes where other cattle would not go. There, she would graze six hours a day, and spend three more lying down and chewing again on what she had eaten earlier.

The villagers made a neat profit off the rich milk, which was also used to make cheese of the best sort. It was so good that people from neighbouring villages would come to buy.

One particular year, the rains were poor. The villagers were hard-pressed to assess their assets and liabilities. "Let us draw a list of things, those that yield us profits, and those that cause us losses." Subsequently, they concluded that the cow was spending far too much time grazing in the hills. This was because the cow decided to climb higher, to access the sweet grass that still grew in abundance thanks to the morning mists.

"Cow, your lazy and lax habits have come to the attention of many. Therefore, be warned that just your milk, nice as it is, will not do! You must help us in other ways too! Look at our donkey and our ass! They help us carry burdens, so why should you be exempt?"

The cow, a proud animal, looked at them squarely and asked, "How is it that you fault me for doing precisely those things that serve to make you profit? Or can you not distinguish between a giver of milk and a carrier of laundry baskets?"

"Nay!" the villagers persisted, "But you do need to carry your share of burdens also!"

"Go, then, and ask cheese from your donkey and your ass!" And with that she ran off, the golden bell around her neck sounding sweet music, to belong to the neighbouring villagers who welcomed her with open arms.