Section 79
The Oxen and the Axletrees explained simply
Aesop's Fables by Aesop
Original excerpt
Excerpt preview
A pair of Oxen were drawing a heavily loaded waggon along the highway, and, as they tugged and strained at the yoke, the Axletrees creaked and groaned terribly. This was too much for the Oxen, who turned round indignantly and said, "Hullo, you there! Why do you make such a noise when we do all the work?" They...
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Public-domain original
A pair of Oxen were drawing a heavily loaded waggon along the highway,
and, as they tugged and strained at the yoke, the Axletrees creaked
and groaned terribly. This was too much for the Oxen, who turned round
indignantly and said, "Hullo, you there! Why do you make such a noise
when we do all the work?"
They complain most who suffer least.
Public-domain original text shown for study context.
What happens here
Oxen pulling a cart complain when the wheels make more noise than the workers.
Why this scene matters
This fable criticizes people who complain loudly while others do the real labor.
Characters in this scene
- Oxen: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
- the Axletrees: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
Simple story version
The oxen work hard pulling the cart. The noisy wheels complain most, though they carry less strain.