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The Ox who Envied the Pig

A strong Ox envies a lazy Pig's carefree life, but the Pig reveals his fate as food, teaching the Ox to appreciate his work and path.
Envy
Contentment
Value
Jataka Tales - The Ox who Envied the Pig
Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time, there was a strong Ox who lived in a farmer's field. He was large, with powerful muscles that gleamed in the sun, and sharp horns that no other animal dared to confront. Every day, he worked hard, plowing the fields, carrying heavy loads, and doing everything the farmer asked. Despite his strength and the respect he earned, the Ox felt a deep sense of dissatisfaction.

In the same farm, there lived a small Pig. He spent his days wallowing in the mud, eating the scraps left by the farmer, and sleeping under the warm sun. He seemed to live a carefree life without any worries or responsibilities.

Watching the Pig's easy life, the Ox became envious. "Why should I work so hard, while the Pig does nothing and yet seems so contented?" he thought.

One day, the Ox decided to express his feelings to the Pig. "Why are you so lazy?" asked the Ox. "You do nothing but eat, sleep, and wallow in the mud all day. You should be doing something useful, like me."

The Pig looked at the Ox and chuckled. "You think I'm lazy because I'm not working hard like you. But let me ask you, Ox, have you ever wondered why you work so hard?"

The Ox was taken aback. "I work hard because it's my duty. I help the farmer and, in return, he takes care of me," the Ox replied.

The Pig smiled knowingly and said, "You work hard, indeed, and you're valuable to the farmer. But, have you ever noticed what happens when a pig like me gets really fat?"

Confused, the Ox shook his head. The Pig continued, "The fatter I get, the happier the farmer seems. But the day I become the fattest, the farmer takes me away, and I'm never seen again."

The Ox suddenly understood the Pig's point. While he was working hard and earning his keep, the Pig's seemingly easy life was, in fact, leading to a dreadful end.

From that day onwards, the Ox stopped envying the Pig. He understood that everyone has their own path and burdens, and that comparing oneself to others only leads to discontent. The Ox continued his work, appreciating the value it brought to his life, and the safety it assured him.

Once upon a time, there was a strong Ox who lived in a farmer's field. He was big, with strong muscles and sharp horns. Every day, he worked hard. He plowed the fields, carried heavy things, and did everything the farmer asked. Even though he was strong and respected, the Ox was not happy.

On the same farm, there lived a small Pig. The Pig spent his days playing in the mud, eating leftover food, and sleeping in the sun. He seemed to have a happy, easy life without any worries.

The Ox watched the Pig and felt jealous. "Why do I work so hard while the Pig does nothing and is happy?" he thought.

One day, the Ox talked to the Pig. "Why are you so lazy?" asked the Ox. "You only eat, sleep, and play in the mud all day. You should do something useful, like me."

The Pig laughed and said, "You think I am lazy because I don't work hard like you. But let me ask you, Ox, do you know why you work so hard?"

The Ox was surprised. "I work hard because it's my job. I help the farmer, and he takes care of me," said the Ox.

The Pig smiled and said, "You work hard and you are important to the farmer. But have you ever noticed what happens to a pig when he gets very fat?"

The Ox shook his head, confused. The Pig continued, "When I get very fat, the farmer is happy. But then he takes me away, and I am never seen again."

The Ox suddenly understood. While he worked hard and earned his keep, the Pig's easy life led to a sad end.

From that day, the Ox stopped being jealous of the Pig. He continued his work, appreciating the safety and value it brought to his life.

There is a strong Ox. He lives on a farm. He is big and has strong muscles. Every day, he works hard. He plows the field. He carries heavy things. The farmer likes the Ox. But the Ox is not happy.

There is a small Pig on the farm too. The Pig plays in the mud. He eats food. He sleeps in the sun. The Pig looks happy.

The Ox watches the Pig. He thinks, "Why does the Pig do nothing? I work hard, but he is happy."

One day, the Ox talks to the Pig. He asks, "Why are you lazy? You only eat, sleep, and play. You should work like me."

The Pig laughs. He says, "You think I am lazy. But do you know why you work hard?"

The Ox is surprised. He says, "I work because it is my job. The farmer likes me and takes care of me."

The Pig smiles and says, "You work hard and the farmer likes you. But when I get fat, the farmer takes me away. I do not come back."

The Ox thinks. He understands now. The Pig has an easy life, but it is not good in the end.

From that day, the Ox stops being jealous of the Pig. He works hard and is happy. He knows his work is good and safe.

Once upon a time, there was a strong Ox who lived in a farmer's field. He was big, with strong muscles and sharp horns. Every day, he worked hard. He plowed the fields, carried heavy things, and did everything the farmer asked. Even though he was strong and respected, the Ox was not happy.

On the same farm, there lived a small Pig. The Pig spent his days playing in the mud, eating leftover food, and sleeping in the sun. He seemed to have a happy, easy life without any worries.

The Ox watched the Pig and felt jealous. "Why do I work so hard while the Pig does nothing and is happy?" he thought.

One day, the Ox talked to the Pig. "Why are you so lazy?" asked the Ox. "You only eat, sleep, and play in the mud all day. You should do something useful, like me."

The Pig laughed and said, "You think I am lazy because I don't work hard like you. But let me ask you, Ox, do you know why you work so hard?"

The Ox was surprised. "I work hard because it's my job. I help the farmer, and he takes care of me," said the Ox.

The Pig smiled and said, "You work hard and you are important to the farmer. But have you ever noticed what happens to a pig when he gets very fat?"

The Ox shook his head, confused. The Pig continued, "When I get very fat, the farmer is happy. But then he takes me away, and I am never seen again."

The Ox suddenly understood. While he worked hard and earned his keep, the Pig's easy life led to a sad end.

From that day, the Ox stopped being jealous of the Pig. He continued his work, appreciating the safety and value it brought to his life.

Once upon a time, in a farmer's field that could've been the backdrop for a musical number, lived a super-strong Ox. This Ox was like the superhero of cows, all muscles and mighty horns that you wouldn't want to high-five. Every day, he was out there in the fields, doing the equivalent of animal gym workouts, plowing like there was no tomorrow. "Yeah, I'm the Ox. I'm the big, strong, plowing machine. Do I get a trophy? No! A parade? Nada!"

Meanwhile, living the easy-breezy life in the same farm was a Pig. This little guy was rolling in the mud like it was the best playground ever, snacking like it was a never-ending party, and snoozing in the sun like he was on a forever vacation.

"Ah, the simple joys of mud and leftover snacks! It's like being at a fancy hotel, without the room service," giggled the Pig.

Watching the Pig live the dream, the Ox was green with envy—or would've been if oxen could change colors. "Why does he get to live like he's on a fun vacation while I'm stuck with all the hard work?"

So, the Ox decides it's time for a heart-to-heart. He lumbers over to the Pig and says, "Hey, buddy, why are you such a couch potato? All you do is chill while I'm working super hard here!"

The Pig looks up, chuckles, and says, "Why so serious, Mr. Muscles? Ever think about why you work so hard?"

"I work hard because I'm the important one here. Without me, this place would be like a salad without croutons—still okay, but definitely lacking," the Ox retorts.

The Pig just grins and goes, "Important, eh? But ever notice what happens when I get, let's say, really chubby?"

The Ox gives him a puzzled look. So the Pig says, "The chubbier I get, the happier the farmer is. But the moment I'm the chubbiest? Poof! I vanish like a cookie at a kids' party."

And just like that, the Ox gets it. While he's been busy being the hero of the farm, the Pig's been living on borrowed time.

After that lightbulb moment, the Ox no longer feels envious of the Pig. He realizes that everyone's got their own "happily ever after" and their own challenges to face—or in his case, fields to plow. So, the Ox goes back to work, plowing away and making the farm look fabulous, all while singing, "I Will Survive" in his head. He's now happy in his own hooves.

Ox worked hard in fields each day,
While Pig in mud would freely play.
"Why do I toil?" Ox wondered, "Why,
When Pig just eats and lays nearby?"

Ox went to Pig, "You're quite the sloth,
While I work hard for us both!"
Pig chuckled, said, "You're not alone,
My path leads to a fate well-known."

"Working hard brings farmer gain,
But for me, it's another chain.
When piggies fatten, looking great,
A fate awaits us, not so great."

Ox thought awhile and understood,
Each life is different, yet both are good.
His envy vanished, clear from sight,
And Ox felt lighter, truly right.

From then on, Ox felt quite at ease,
No longer stirred by discontent's breeze.
Each had a path, a role, a way,
And both found peace in work and play.

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Word Finder

  1. Muscles

    Body parts that make you move and lift.

  2. Plowed

    Turned over soil to plant seeds.

  3. Jealous

    Feeling unhappy wanting what others have.

  4. Lazy

    Not wanting to work or be active.

  5. Useful

    Helpful for doing something important.

  6. Surprised

    Feeling something unexpected has happened.

  7. Important

    Being of great value or significance.

  8. Noticed

    Saw or became aware of something.

  9. Confused

    Not understanding what is happening.

  10. Appreciating

    Recognizing the good qualities in something.

Understanding Questions

  1. Where did the Ox live and work?
  2. How did the Pig spend his days on the farm?
  3. What was the Ox's feeling towards the Pig's lifestyle?
  4. What question did the Pig ask the Ox that made him think?
  5. What did the Ox realize about the Pig's easy life by the end of the story?

Word Finder

  1. Ox

    Big, strong animal that works on a farm.

  2. Plows

    Uses tools to turn over the soil.

  3. Carries

    Lifts and moves something heavy.

  4. Farmer

    A person who works on a farm.

  5. Jealous

    Wants what someone else has.

  6. Lazy

    Does not like to work.

  7. Surprised

    Feeling something unexpected happened.

  8. Takes care

    Looks after and helps someone.

  9. Happy

    Feeling very good and joyful.

  10. Understands

    Knows and gets the meaning.

  1. Muscles

    Body parts that make you move and lift.

  2. Plowed

    Turned over soil to plant seeds.

  3. Jealous

    Feeling unhappy wanting what others have.

  4. Lazy

    Not wanting to work or be active.

  5. Useful

    Helpful for doing something important.

  6. Surprised

    Feeling something unexpected has happened.

  7. Important

    Being of great value or significance.

  8. Noticed

    Saw or became aware of something.

  9. Confused

    Not understanding what is happening.

  10. Appreciating

    Recognizing the good qualities in something.

Understanding Questions

  1. Where does the Ox live?

    1. In the forest
    2. On a farm
    3. In the city
    4. In the sea
  2. What does the Ox do every day?

    1. Plays in the mud
    2. Sleeps in the sun
    3. Plows the field
    4. Eats food
  3. What does the Pig do?

    1. Works hard
    2. Plows the field
    3. Eats, sleeps, and plays
    4. Carries heavy things
  4. What does the Pig say will happen to him when he gets fat?

    1. He will work harder.
    2. The farmer will take him away.
    3. He will plow the field.
    4. He will become strong.
  5. How does the Ox feel at the end of the story?

    1. Jealous of the Pig
    2. Happy and safe
    3. Sad and worried
    4. Angry at the Pig
  1. Where did the Ox live and work?
  2. How did the Pig spend his days on the farm?
  3. What was the Ox's feeling towards the Pig's lifestyle?
  4. What question did the Pig ask the Ox that made him think?
  5. What did the Ox realize about the Pig's easy life by the end of the story?
  1. What were the primary duties of the Ox on the farm, and how did his physical characteristics contribute to his role?
  2. How did the Ox initially perceive the Pig's lifestyle, and what emotions did this perception evoke in him?
  3. Describe the Pig's response to the Ox's accusation of laziness. What point was the Pig trying to convey?
  4. How did the Ox's understanding of his own life and the Pig's life change after their conversation?
  5. What lesson did the Ox learn about comparing himself to others, and how did this new understanding affect his approach to his work?

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do you think the Ox was envious of the Pig at first?
  2. How did the Pig's explanation change the Ox's perspective?
  3. Can you remember a time when you felt jealous of someone, only to realize later that things weren't as they seemed?
  4. What does this story teach us about comparing our lives to others?
  5. How can we apply the lesson from this story to be more content with what we have and the work we do?

Fable Quotes

Wanting what others have can blind you to what's truly valuable.
True joy is found in being content with our own path, not in comparing with others'.
Know your worth, and don't compare it to others; every path is unique.
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