Fables 141-145 Summary

(141) "The Horse and the Ass" The ass asks the horse to carry a little of his load. The horse refuses, and the ass dies of exhaustion. The owner puts the ass's load on the horse and then loads the ass's carcass on the horse as well. The horse realizes that by turning down a little extra weight, he now has to carry everything. (142) "The Horse and the Soldier" A man treats his horse well during times of war. When the war ends, the man puts the horse to work and feeds him only hay. Another war breaks out, and the horse tells the man that he is no longer a warhorse. Now he is an ass. (143) "The Reed and the Olive" A reed and an olive tree argue about who is most steadfast and strong. The olive tree says the reed...