The Donkey and the Barley
Once upon a time, a donkey and a pig lived on a pretty farm at the edge of an old forest where cool waters flowed. The donkey woke with the first light of the morning and carried the heavy loads of his owner with patience until the evening. At the end of the tiring day only dry straw and a little oats were given to the hardworking donkey. But the pig that sat in the ornate pen beside him never worked and took his pleasure in the shade all day long. Every evening the farmer offered him tasty, fresh and nourishing grains of barley. The donkey looked with envy at the golden barley in front of the pig and felt sorry for his own state.
One day he could not hold back, came up to the pig and spoke with a sigh. “How lucky you are; you eat the sweetest barley without ever getting tired,” he said. “But I work all day until my back bends, and still I make do with dry straw.” The pig boasted with pride, showed off his fat body and burst into laughter. “Our master knows my worth; you are only good for carrying loads,” he answered. Weeks passed, the pig grew really fat and became so heavy that he had trouble even in walking.
One day a butcher came to the farm, took the fat pig from the yard and carried him away. When the donkey saw the bitter end of the pig, he felt a great surprise and fear. When evening came, the farmer put the fresh barley left from the pig in front of the donkey. But the clever donkey understood the hidden danger behind the tasty barley. He drew his head back and did not come even one step nearer to that sweet barley. He turned to his own plain straw and began to chew it in peace. Rather than the dangerous plenty of another, the little peace you earn with your own sweat is far more valuable. A little food and a head free of worry.