< RM > story - The Pig and the Cow

The Pig and the Cow

"Why is it," said the rich man to his min-
ister, "that people call me stingy when every-
one knows that when I die I'm leaving every-
thing to the church?"
"Let me tell you a fable about the pig and
the cow," said the minister. "The pig was
unpopular while the cow was beloved. This
puzzled the pig. 'People speak warmly of
your gentle nature and your sorrowful eyes,'
the pig said to the cow. 'They think you're
generous because each day you give them
milk and cream. But what about me? I give
them everything I have. I give bacon and
ham. I provide bristles for brushes. They
even pickle my feet! Yet not one likes me.
Why is that?'"
"Do you know what the cow answered?"
said the minister. "The cow said, 'Perhaps it
is because I give while I'm still living.'"