A farmer’s wife threw a bone into the yard where she kept two dogs. The dogs made a dash for the bone, but it fell closer to one than the other and was easily claimed.

“Back off. The bone is mine,” snarled the lucky one, and then it began to gnaw the bone with exaggerated satisfaction, while its rival paced, restless and discontented, in the shadows.

Eventually, with the heat of the day, and all that gnawing, the lucky dog developed an awful thirst. It had no choice but to visit its bowl to drink. It was then the other dog pounced. Darting  out of the shadows, it seized the bone and carried it to the far corner of the yard.

Outraged, the lucky dog gave chase.
“Give it back,” it growled.
“No, I don’t think I will,” replied the other.
“You will and you must!” the lucky dog insisted.
“Oh, must I? Why is that?”
“Because the bone is mine. It’s always been mine.”
“Well, it doesn’t seem to be yours now, does it?”
“Because you stole it!”

The two dogs were poised fight when another bone was tossed into the yard. Again the bone landed close behind the lucky dog and again the lucky dog was first to claim it. It carried the bone back to its spot.

“Listen, I’ve been thinking. ” the lucky dog called back to its rival. “You can keep that bone. I’ll let you have it. I’ve got a better one now.”
“Good for you,” the other responded, unimpressed.
“Yes, much better. Nice and fresh.”
“And has that one always been yours too?”
“Of course.”

© Richard Parkin 2024