FableNº 109

Hermes and the Earth

After fashioning man and woman, Zeus told Hermes to lead them to the earth and show them where they should dig it to procure food. When Hermes had done as bidden, the earth at first resisted; but Hermes insisted, saying it was Zeus's order. "Very well," she said, "let them dig as much as they like: they shall pay me for it with their sighs and their tears."

*Those who borrow readily often repay reluctantly.

Moral

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