Once upon a time, there was a young filly who lived on a farm. Now this young filly was full of energy and loved to work with other animals and the children who lived on the farm. She thought she was making a difference to all those she loved and worked with, and therefore, she willingly accepted more responsibilities around the farm.
As she grew into a mare, the farmer came and told her, "You are costing me a fortune! It's because of you I can't take as good of care of the other animals and my children! I need you to make a few sacrifices." Because the mare loved the others and understood the farmer's frustration, she agreed to a small reduction in her food. At first, she didn't notice she was receiving less food. She still had energy and enthusiasm, and was happy doing her part to help everyone.
But then the farmer came to her the next year and said, "It's because of you that I had to sell a couple animals! You are costing me a fortune! I need you to make a few more sacrifices." The mare willingly agreed again, especially when the farmer promised to make it up to her when his fortune improved.
Again there was a reduction in her oats, which she noticed this time, and there were new responsibilities placed on her. When she tried to object, the farmer told her, "I'm taking care of you; this is the least you can do for me. If you really loved me, the other animals, and my children, you would agree to these." Because the mare liked pleasing her master, she agreed to carry a heavier pack, work longer hours, and take another reduction in her oats. Her master pointed out that there was still plenty of grass, and if she didn't like it at his farm, she could go to another farm. However, the mare liked her farm, but she was beginning to notice her master wasn't so nice. She ignored those feelings of dislike and distrust, and continued working her hardest.
Although there wasn't a reduction in her oats the next year, there were more responsibilities placed upon her, including longer work days, heavier loads to carry, and jobs that had formerly been held by other animals. When she questioned the farmer, she was told, "If you don't like it here, I'm sure the grass is greener somewhere else." By this time, the mare was growing older and she was used to her farm. She quietly walked back to her stall and ate her smaller portion of oats. She was tired, she realized, but she wasn't certain why.
Several years passed, and although her oats portion improved, it wasn't the same amount she had been promised by the farmer. He claimed he still didn't have the money for her greater share of oats. Her responsibilities also grew, which she didn't think was possible, and the farmer began putting her through new tests. She was to jump a fence, which was constantly raised; she was to run faster, although the goal posts seemed to move each time she came close; and her packs were weighted heavier each time they were placed on her. She wasn't sure she could bear it, and she wasn't clear as to why. Why was it heavier? Why were her oats portions, albeit a little larger, still insufficient to fill her each night?
The mare was out running laps and jumping higher and higher fences one day when she passed a puddle of water. She stopped for a drink and noticed her ribs were showing, her coat was dull, and there were bald patches on her sides. Finally she understood; more work, more responsibility, less food were all leaving their marks. No more could she do her job sufficiently. That night, before the mare was in her stall, she hear nickering nearby. When she turned her head, she saw a new horse, younger and more energetic, at the next farm. The horse was given all the answers to its tests before it was tested. The trainer wasn't very good, fresh and inexperienced, but filled with energy for his new job. The mare shook her head and went to her stall.
Finally, one day, after new and improved tests had been scaffolded for her to implement, the mare was finished. She gave up the fight. The next day, a truck pulled into the driveway, loaded up the mare, and drove her away. The farmer had just invested in a new slaughterhouse, and she was his first "client."
It just goes to prove that if something is starved of its necessities and tremendous, virtually impossible responsibilities are placed on it, somewhere, someone can make money from it.
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