<SPAN name="THE_FLEA_AND_THE_OX"></SPAN>
<h2>THE FLEA AND THE OX</h2>
<br/>
<p>A Flea once said to an Ox, "How comes it that a big strong
fellow like you is content to serve mankind, and do all their hard
work for them, while I, who am no bigger than you see, live on
their bodies and drink my fill of their blood, and never do a
stroke for it all?" To which the Ox replied, "Men are very kind to
me, and so I am grateful to them: they feed and house me well, and
every now and then they show their fondness for me by patting me on
the head and neck." "They'd pat me, too," said the Flea, "if I let
them: but I take good care they don't, or there would be nothing
left of me."</p>
<br/>
<br/>
<hr>
<br/>
<br/>
<div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />