The Man the Horse the Ox and the Dog
Story Summary
In "The Man the Horse the Ox and the Dog," a heartwarming tale from classic moral stories, a horse, ox, and dog find refuge from the cold with a kind man who provides them food and warmth. In gratitude, they divide the man's life span among themselves, each infusing their portion with attributes that reflect human nature at different stages, offering young readers valuable lessons about the impetuousness of youth, the industriousness of middle age, and the irritable nature of old age. This unique moral story serves as an entertaining and educational reminder of how our characteristics shape our lives.
A horse, an ox, and a dog, driven to great straits by the cold, sought shelter and protection from a man. He received them kindly, lit a fire, and warmed them. He allowed the horse to eat freely from his oats, provided the ox with an abundance of hay, and fed the dog with meat from his own table.
Grateful for these favors, the animals determined to repay him to the best of their ability. To achieve this, they divided the term of the man's life among themselves, each endowing one portion with the qualities that chiefly characterized him.
The horse chose his earliest years and infused them with his own attributes; thus, every man in his youth is impetuous, headstrong, and obstinate in maintaining his own opinion. The ox took under his patronage the next phase of life, which is why man in his middle age is often fond of work, devoted to labor, and resolute in amassing wealth and managing his resources wisely.
The end of life was reserved for the dog. As a result, the old man is frequently snappish, irritable, hard to please, and selfish—tolerant only of his own household, but averse to strangers and to all who do not contribute to his comfort or meet his needs.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
The story illustrates how the stages of a man's life are influenced by the characteristics of the animals, reflecting the different traits and behaviors associated with youth, middle age, and old age.
Historical Context
This story is a fable that reflects themes of gratitude and the interplay between humans and animals, reminiscent of Aesop's Fables, which often convey moral lessons through anthropomorphized characters. It highlights the cultural significance of animals in folklore as symbols of various human traits and stages of life, a motif found in many traditions worldwide, including the Panchatantra from India and the fables of La Fontaine in France. The narrative serves as a commentary on human nature, suggesting that our characteristics are shaped by the influences of our formative experiences and relationships.
Our Editors Opinion
This fable illustrates the natural progression of human temperament through different life stages, reflecting how our experiences shape our character over time. In modern life, we can see this in a scenario where a young professional, in their early career, is overly ambitious and resistant to feedback, much like the horse; as they mature, they become dedicated and industrious, akin to the ox; and in later years, they may become more set in their ways, potentially resistant to change, similar to the dog. This highlights the importance of understanding and adapting to the evolving nature of ourselves and others throughout life.
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Other names for this story
"Life Lessons from Animals, The Gifts of the Horse and Ox, A Tale of Gratitude and Life Stages, The Animal's Tribute to Man, From Horse to Dog: A Life Story, The Wisdom of Animals, Life Divided: A Fable, The Four Companions of Life"
Did You Know?
This story highlights the theme of how different stages of life are influenced by the characteristics of animals, suggesting that our traits and behaviors are shaped by both nature and nurture, and that gratitude can manifest in unexpected ways.
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