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The Oxen and The Axles

A heavy wagon was being pulled along a country lane by a team of Oxen. The Axles in the wagon groaned and creaked constantly. After awhile, the Oxen, turning, said to the wheels: "Why do you make so much noise? We do all the work so it's we, not you, who should be making noise."

Townsend version (The Oxen and The Axle-Trees)

A heavy wagon was being dragged along a country lane by a team of Oxen. The Axle-trees groaned and creaked terribly; whereupon the Oxen, turning round, thus addressed the wheels: "Hullo there! why do you make so much noise? We bear all the labor, and we, not you, ought to cry out."

Moral

Those who suffer most cry out the least.

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