ter for both of us if we had stayed at home in the first place. He would have sat on the oven,[1] and I should have been eating oats."
XXIV
THE TWO HORSES
Two Horses were carrying two loads. The front Horse went well, but the rear Horse was lazy. The men began to pile the rear Horse's load on the front Horse; when they had transferred it all, the rear Horse found it easy going, and he said to the front Horse:—
"Toil and sweat! The more you try, the more you have to suffer."
When they reached the tavern, the owner said:—
"Why should I fodder two horses when I carry all on one? I had better give the one all the food it wants, and cut the throat of the other; at least I shall have the hide."
And so he did.
XXV
THE AX AND THE SAW
Two peasants were going to the forest after wood. One had an ax and the other had a saw. After they had selected a tree they began to dispute.
One said it was better to chop down the tree, and the other said it ought to be sawed.
A third peasant said:—
"I will settle the question for you in a moment: if the ax is sharp, then it is better to chop; but if the saw is sharper, then it is better to saw."
He took the ax and began to chop the tree. But the ax was dull, so that it was impossible for him to cut.
- ↑ In Russian huts the oven is made of earth; and, as it is never very hot, the peasants use it for a bed and lounge.
