Aesop’s Version

A Wolf had been gorging on an animal he had killed, when suddenly a small bone in the meat stuck in his throat and he could not swallow it. He soon felt terrible pain in his throat, and ran up and down groaning and groaning and seeking for something to relieve the pain. He tried to induce every one he met to remove the bone. “I would give anything,” said he, “if you would take it out.”

At last the Crane agreed to try, and told the Wolf to lie on his side and open his jaws as wide as he could. Then the Crane put its long neck down the Wolf’s throat, and with its beak loosened the bone, till at last it got it out. “Will you kindly give me the reward you promised?” said the Crane.

The Wolf grinned and showed his teeth and said: “Be content. You have put your head inside a Wolf’s mouth and taken it out again in safety; that ought to be reward enough for you.”

Gratitude and greed go not together.

Field Inspector’s Version

A National had been acquiring new clients with increasing frequency, when suddenly a hurricane swept in from the Gulf and created more work than could be accomplished.  The National felt terrible pain in the bottom line, and ran up and down groaning and groaning and seeking field inspectors to relieve the pain.  The national tried to induce all the field inspectors to abandon all and inspect properties in the damaged areas.  “I will give you a nice fee and a nice bonus,” said the National , “if you will do us this favor.”

At last the seasoned field inspector agreed to do the FEMA inspections, and told the National “No chargebacks and no rush’s”.  Then the inspector and all the office and field staff worked until exhaustion, till at last all the FEMA inspections were done.  “Will you kindly give me the bonus you promised?” said the inspector.

The National laughed and threatened loss of future work and said: “Be content.  You have put your head inside a Wolf’s mouth and taken it out again in safety; that ought to be reward enough for you.

Gratitude and greed go not together.

Terry’s Note:  You have until September 30th to memorize this fable.