Wolf and Dog
Discouraged after an unsuccessful day of hunting, a hungry Wolf came upon a well-fed Mastiff, the Wolf asked what the Dog had to do to earn his food.
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"Very little,"replied the Dog, "Just protect my master's house and family and be obedient to his demands."
The Wolf pondered this quite carefully - for he had to risk his own life almost daily to earn his food, and then with little assurance of success. The Wolf, who was tempted to adopt the Dog's mode of living, then happened to notice that the hair was rubbed bare from about the Dog's neck.
The Wolf asked what caused this affliction, the Dog replied that it was of no significance, "It's just the place where my collar and chain rub."
The Wolf abruptly stopped and exclaimed, "Your Chain! You mean you are not free to come and go as you please?"
"No," responded the Dog, "but what does that matter?"
"A great deal,"
replied the Wolf as he trotted away into the forest, "A great deal."
Aesop's Fables
Other Version:
A gaunt Wolf was almost dead with hunger when he happened to meet a House-dog who was passing by. "Ah, Cousin," said the Dog. "I knew how it would be; your irregular life will soon be the ruin of you. Why do you not work steadily as I do, and get your food regularly given to you?"
"I would have no objection," said the Wolf, "if I could only get a place."
"I will easily arrange that for you," said the Dog; "come with me to my master and you shall share my work."
So the Wolf and the Dog went towards the town together. On the way there the Wolf noticed that the hair on a certain part of the Dog's neck was very much worn away, so he asked him how that had come about.
"Oh, it is nothing," said the Dog. "That is only the place where the collar is put on at night to keep me chained up; it chafes a bit, but one soon gets used to it."
"Is that all?" said the Wolf. "Then good-bye to you, Master Dog."