The Farmer and His Dogs
Story by: Aesop
Source: Aesop's Fables
A farmer lived on a remote homestead with several faithful dogs who had served him loyally for many years. They guarded his property, helped him with his livestock, and were his constant companions.
One particularly harsh winter, a terrible storm destroyed the farmer’s crops and killed most of his animals. Snow piled higher and higher around his small farmhouse, and his food supplies dwindled to almost nothing.
As the days passed, the farmer grew desperate. He had barely enough food to keep himself alive, let alone feed his pack of hungry dogs.
The dogs, sensing their master’s distress, gathered around him one evening as he sat by the meager fire.
“Master,” said the eldest dog, “we can see you are troubled. We have been faithful to you all our lives, through good times and bad. Tell us what is wrong.”
The farmer looked at his loyal companions with tears in his eyes. “My faithful friends, I face an impossible choice. The winter has taken everything from me. I have food for only a few more days, and it is only enough for one.”
The dogs listened solemnly as their master continued.
“I cannot bear the thought of watching you starve slowly. Yet I cannot feed you when I have nothing to give.”
The eldest dog stepped forward and placed his paw on the farmer’s knee.
“Master,” he said with quiet dignity, “we have lived our lives in service to you because we loved you, not because you fed us. We understand that sometimes survival requires difficult choices. We do not blame you for the storm that destroyed your crops, nor for the necessity that now faces you.”
“But what am I to do?” the farmer asked, his voice breaking.
“What you must do to survive,” replied the dog. “We have had good lives in your service. If our sacrifice can help you live through this winter to plant new crops in the spring, then our lives will have had meaning.”
The farmer wept for his faithful companions, understanding the terrible wisdom in their words. Sometimes even the most loyal friendships must face the harsh realities of survival.
Moral: Loyalty is precious, but in the face of absolute necessity, even the most cherished relationships may require difficult sacrifices. True friendship understands the demands of survival.
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