The Dog in the Manger

Part One · The Hay

It was a cold afternoon on the farm. The big ox had pulled the plow all day long. Now he was tired and hungry.

At last he plodded into the barn. His manger was a wooden box full of sweet hay. The farmer had filled it that morning.

But the ox stopped in the doorway. Somebody was sleeping in his manger!

It was the farm dog. He had curled up on top of the hay. It made a cozy bed.

"Excuse me," said the ox politely. "That hay is my supper. May I please have some?"

The dog opened one eye. "Grrr," he said. "Go away, because this is my bed."

"But you do not eat hay," said the ox. "I do, and I am terribly hungry."

"Grrr!" said the dog, and he showed his teeth. "It is mine, and I was here first!"

The ox did not want a fight. He stood still and waited patiently while his tummy rumbled.

Then the old horse came in from the cold. "May I have a little hay?" she asked.

"Grrr!" said the dog. "Not one single bite!" So the horse stood beside the ox, hungry too.

A dog cannot eat hay. It is not food for dogs. He just did not want anybody else to have it.

The dog lay there all evening on the prickly hay. His own tummy began to rumble, too.

Then the farmer came in with a lantern. He saw two hungry animals and one stubborn dog.

"Dog, you can't eat that hay," said the farmer. "And you won't let anyone who can." He lifted the dog out and set him down.

The ox ate and ate, and so did the horse. The whole barn was full of happy munching.

The dog trotted off to the kitchen. His own supper was waiting by the door. It had been there all the time.

The next night, the ox came plodding in. The dog hopped out and wagged his tail. "Supper is ready," he said.