Zeus and the Horse
Aesop's Fables
Imagine a wide, green field, full of yummy grass and sunshine. In this field lived a Horse. Now, this wasn't just any horse. He was strong, with a shiny coat that gleamed in the sun, and a long, swishy tail. He loved to run fast, feeling the wind in his mane.
"I am so wonderful!" he'd think. "But... maybe I could be even *more* wonderful!"
He thought and thought. "Yes!" he decided. "I'll go ask Zeus, the King of all the gods, to make me even better." Zeus lived high up on a cloud mountain, and he was known for being very wise.
So, clip-clop, clip-clop, the Horse trotted all the way to Zeus.
"Oh, great Zeus," said the Horse, bowing his head. "I am a very good horse, but I have some ideas to make me even better!"
Zeus, who had a kind smile, listened patiently. "Tell me your ideas," he said.
"Well," said the Horse, puffing out his chest. "Maybe I could have even stronger legs, to run even faster! And perhaps a shorter back, so I look more neat and tidy. Oh, and what if I had wings like a bird? I could fly through the sky! Wouldn't that be amazing?"
Zeus listened to all of this, a little twinkle in his eye. "Hmm," he said. "Stronger legs, a shorter back, wings... I have an idea. Watch this!"
And with a wave of his hand, Zeus made another animal appear right there. This animal was very tall. It had long, knobbly legs, a very long neck, a lumpy back with two humps, and wide, flat feet. It looked around with big, gentle eyes and chewed slowly.
The Horse stared. "What... what is *that*?" he asked, a little confused.
"That," said Zeus, "is a creature with some of the things you thought might be good. It has very strong legs for long journeys across hot sand, and its back is good for carrying things. It's a Camel."
The Horse looked at the Camel, then looked at his own smooth coat and graceful legs. He thought about how much he loved to gallop freely through his green field. The Camel looked useful, for sure, but... it didn't look like it could dash through a meadow quite like he could. And those wings he wanted? He imagined them on the Camel and it looked a bit funny.
Suddenly, the Horse felt a bit silly. "Oh," he said quietly. "I see. Maybe... maybe I'm quite good just the way I am."
Zeus smiled warmly. "Every creature is special in its own way, Horse. You are perfect for running and leaping and being swift. Be happy with the wonderful horse you are."
The Horse nodded. He thanked Zeus and trotted back to his sunny field. From that day on, he still loved to run fast and feel the wind in his mane, but he also knew he was just right, exactly as he was. And sometimes, he'd even give a friendly whinny if he saw a Camel passing by.
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