Four Friends in the Meadow

Four oxen grazed together in a broad meadow. One was cream, one black, one chestnut, and one spotted. They knew the field well and looked out for each other while eating.

A lion sometimes passed beyond the meadow's edge. Whenever the oxen noticed him, they stood close with their heads outward. Nobody had to watch every direction alone beside the open field.

The lion kept his distance from the united group. The oxen returned to grazing once he had gone. Their different colours and temperaments did not stop them working together for safety.

One dry afternoon, the best clover patch became the subject of an argument. Each ox wanted to choose where they should graze next. Soon they stopped listening to one another entirely.

The cream ox walked toward one corner, and the others spread out to separate places. For a while, each had plenty of space, but nobody could see all the neighbours clearly.

Beyond the stone wall, the lion appeared again. The spotted ox saw him first and called to the others. Standing alone felt very different from standing with three watchful friends nearby.

The oxen put the argument aside and gathered before the lion came any closer. Together they watched the field's edge. The lion moved away, and the tense moment passed without anybody being hurt.

Afterward, they talked about the clover patch more calmly. They could take turns choosing a place and share what they found. Disagreeing did not require each friend to lose the group's support.

They grazed at a comfortable distance where all could stay in sight. The cream ox tried a new patch, and the black ox waited to choose tomorrow's. Their arrangement left room for everyone.

At sunset, four different shapes rested near the farm wall. The meadow had become peaceful again. Their friendship was strongest when each could speak and all still cared about one another.