Story
A Pig and a Sheep grazed together in a meadow, and over time they became companions. The Pig, however, was devoted to the pursuit of every pleasure that came before him. He would wallow in mud for hours, consuming without restraint whatever food he could find. His approach to life was one of unlimited indulgence in every appetite that arose.
The Sheep, by contrast, practiced temperance in all things. Though she had access to the same foods and the same opportunities for indulgence as the Pig, she consumed only what was necessary for her health and strength. She did not spend every moment wallowing and seeking pleasure, but instead devoted time to rest, contemplation, and the company of others.
The Farmer who owned them both observed their different approaches to life. He noted that the Pig, through his excessive indulgence, grew sickly and lethargic. His body, engorged with too much food and without adequate exercise, became weakened and prone to illness. The Sheep, meanwhile, remained strong and healthy, her temperance maintaining her vigor and vitality.
One day, the Farmer came to the meadow with the intention of selecting one of the animals to slaughter for food. He examined both creatures carefully. The Pig, despite his size, was found to be of poor quality—his flesh was weak and unpalatable due to his excesses. The Sheep, by contrast, was found to be strong and excellent, her flesh sweet and nourishing due to her temperate life.
The Farmer selected the Pig for slaughter, considering him less valuable due to his poor quality. The Sheep lived on, having been preserved by the very temperance that had preserved her health.
In this manner, the Pig learned too late that temperance in consumption and pleasure is not a deprivation, but a preservation of true well-being. The Sheep's temperate approach to life had granted her not only health and strength, but ultimately her survival.