The Horse and the Soldier

A soldier, throughout the war, had fed his horse on barley, the companion of his labours and his dangers. But when the war was over, the horse was put to menial tasks and the carrying of heavy loads, and was fed on nothing but straw. However, another war was announced, and at the call of the trumpet the master bridled his horse, armed himself, and mounted. But the horse, without strength, fell at every step. It said to its master, "Go now and take your place among the foot soldiers; for from a horse you have turned me into an ass. How can you expect to make a horse of an ass again?"