The Ant and The Fly

One day, an Ant and a Fly were engaged in a dispute over their respective worth. The Fly boasted to the Ant, "You are a vile and lowly insect. How can you compare yourself to me? I soar on the wing like a bird, and I can enter the palaces of kings and princes, and even emperors. I land on their heads, and I also visit the altars of the gods. Not a sacrifice is made that I don't taste, and I can attend any feast and eat and drink the best of everything."

The Ant replied, "All that may be true, but hear me out. You boast about your feasting, but you know very well that your diet is not always choice. Sometimes you are forced to eat things that I wouldn't touch. As for landing on the heads of kings and emperors, you know that they shake you off with impatience, whether you land on their heads or on the head of an ass. And as for the altars of the gods, you are nothing but a nuisance there, just as you are everywhere else. In the winter, while I feed at my ease on the fruit of my labor, it's common to see your friends dying from cold, hunger, and fatigue."

The Ant then concluded, "I don't want to waste any more time talking to you. All your chatter will not fill my bin or cupboard." Realizing the futility of their argument, the Fly flew away, and the Ant continued with its work.