The Courteous Horse
Once upon a time, at the edge of an ancient forest where cool waters flowed, there lived a courteous horse whose dappled coat gleamed. This friendly horse dearly loved to help every creature around him and never turned down a single request. The dwellers of the forest used to say that he had a heart as soft as cotton and a patience that never ran out. Every morning he glided across the frost-covered meadows and smiled with kindness at every living thing he met. Yet this generous and courteous nature of his was soon to face a great trial. One day, as the sun climbed towards its peak, a tiny rabbit worn out with exhaustion wished to climb onto his back. Neighing cheerfully, the courteous horse replied, "Of course, my little friend, my back is broad, you may settle on it comfortably."
A few steps later an old and cunning fox appeared, struggling to walk along the road. When the fox made his request with sweet words, the horse gladly took him onto his back as well. Then a huge bear carrying a heavy basket of fruit blocked their way. With a selfish air, the bear ordered, "You must carry both me and this basket." Since the horse did not want to hurt anyone, he willingly took on this heavy load, even though his knees trembled. As they went on, the number of passengers on his back grew, and they all began to scold the horse to make him go faster. When they reached the bank of a rushing stream, the horse's foot slipped on the wet stones because of the heavy load.
Those on his back cried out in fear, but instead of understanding the pain the horse suffered, they thought only of their own comfort. For the first time the courteous horse stopped and called out to them all in a gentle but firm voice. "I should like to help you, but this heavy load, which exceeds my limits, is dragging us all towards disaster," he said. Bending gently, the horse let them all down from his back and made them walk on their own feet. Ashamed of the selfish way they had behaved, the passengers bowed their heads respectfully before the horse. Guarding your own limits while showing kindness to others is the first step of true wisdom. He who does good finds good.