Thinking Out Loud ~ A Lesson from Aesop’s Fables about Work

Today’s Thinking Out Loud reflection is on Aesop’s Fable, The Oxen and the Axel-Tree. Aesop’s Fables is available for free download here.

The Fable

“A pair of Oxen were drawing a heavily loaded wagon along the

highway, and, as they tugged and strained at the yoke, the

Axletrees creaked and groaned terribly. This was too much for the

Oxen, who turned round indignantly and said, “Hullo, you there! Why

do you make such a noise when we do all the work?”

Note: I have a large extended family with lots of uncles, aunts, and cousins. I’ve been present to many family social gatherings. My dad who had jobs as a shoe worker, bartender, and janitor never talked about his work or the people he worked with at these gatherings. There were a couple of uncles who couldn’t stop complaining about their work. The uncles who complained the most were the ones who were always looking for a new job. It’s pretty much a truism, those who do most of the work, don’t complain. They concentrate on getting the job done.