The Sow and the Bitch
Long ago a lovely farm stood beside an old forest with cool water. On this farm lived a plump sow and a very lively dog. On sunny days the pink sow loved the shade, and the brown dog loved running. The two sweet animals spent the whole day in the wide garden. But the proud dog always boasted about her own gifts.
One spring morning the dog came to the softly resting sow. She puffed up her chest and called to her friend with joy. "I give birth faster and much more easily than you!" she said. The sow lifted her head slowly and looked at her friend calmly. "Being fast is not always the best thing, my friend," she answered. But the impatient dog did not listen and soon had her puppies. She proudly showed her little puppies: "Look, how quickly I gave birth!"
The sow looked carefully at the tiny newborn puppies. The sweet puppies still had closed eyes, and they all seemed blind. The sow smiled: "You were very fast, but they are not ready yet." "My babies come later, but their eyes are open and strong," she added. The ashamed dog understood her mistake and quietly lowered her head. Every work done with patience and care gives perfect fruit in time. Haste makes waste.