The Horse and the Ass
An ass accompanied by a horse uncourteous,
Who only had his harness on his back;
And the poor jackass staggered
’Neath the load of vegetable and a pack;
He begged the horse to help him,
If he could—
But not a single bit,
The other would.
“I ask,” said the poor beast,
“A little pity—
Help me at least,
To reach the city.”
The horse refused,
And got his due,
For the ass died.
The farmer’s man
Stripped off the skin of honest Ben,
And made the horse, whom they espied,
Drag on the skin and the cart beside.
Moral
’Tis wise to lend our aid
To others in distress,
We often thus are made
The means of happiness.
The churlish, unkind man
His neighbor’s death may cause,
And have to help his family,
Through taxes and the laws.