The Master's Eye

A stag, having fled into an oxen stable, was initially warned by the oxen to seek better shelter elsewhere.

“Brothers,” said he to them, “do not betray me, and I shall tell you of the best pastures. This service could be useful to you someday, and you will have no regrets.”

The oxen agreed to keep his secret. The stag hid in a corner, sighed, and gathered his courage. That evening, fresh grass and fodder were brought in, as was done every day. The servants came and went a hundred times, as did the overseer, and by chance, no one saw the stag, his body, or his antlers.

The forest dweller, already grateful to the oxen, waited in the stable for everyone to return to Ceres' work so that he could slip out at a favorable moment. One of the oxen, chewing his cud, said to him, “All’s well, but wait! Hundred-Eyes hasn’t yet made his rounds. I fear for you when he arrives. Until then, poor stag, do not brag.”

Then, the Master entered and made his rounds. “What is this?” he scolded his servants. “I find mighty little grass in these racks. This litter is old; go up quickly to the lofts. From now on, I want to see your cattle better cared for. What trouble is it to remove all these spiders? Do we not know how to put away these yokes and collars?”

While looking all around, he noticed a head besides the ones he usually saw there. The stag was discovered; each servant took a pitchfork and jabbed the beast in turn. His tears could not save him from death; he was taken away, salted, and made into many meals enjoyed by many happy neighbors.

Phèdre elegantly declared on this subject: “To see everything, the Master's Eye is best of all.” As for me, I would add, “So is the Lover's Eye.”

*Ceres* - Mythological Roman goddess of harvests, identified with Demeter. *Phèdre* - Caius Julius Phraedrus or Phaedrus, a writer of fables in Latin (15 BC - 50 AD) and author of fables imitating Aesop.