Once upon a time the Sheep complained to the shepherd about the difference in his treatment of themselves and his Dog. “Your conduct,” said they, “is very strange and, we think, very unfair. We provide you with wool and lambs and milk and you give us nothing but grass, and even that we have to find for ourselves: but you get nothing at all from the Dog, and yet you feed him with tit-bits from your own table.” Their remarks were overheard by the Dog, who spoke up at once and said, “Yes, and quite right, too: where would you be if it wasn't for me? Thieves would steal you! Wolves would eat you! Indeed, if I didn't keep constant watch over you, you would be too terrified even to graze!” The Sheep were obliged to acknowledge that he spoke the truth, and never again made a grievance of the regard in which he was held by his master.
从前，羊向牧羊人抱怨他把他们和狗区别对待。他们说：“我们觉得，你的安排非常奇怪，很不公平。我们给你提供羊毛，生产小羊，产羊奶，你却只给我们草吃，别的都不给我们，而且即便是草，也是我们自己去找的。但是对狗呢，你从他那里什么都得不到，却会把餐桌上的美味喂给他。”他们的议论被狗听到了，狗立刻发声：“是的，的确是这样，但是如果没有我，你们又在哪里呢？贼会把你们偷走！狼会把你们吃掉！实际上，如果不是我一直看着你们，你们会害怕得连草也不敢去吃。”羊不得不承认狗说的是对的，再也没有因为主人对狗的偏心而不满。