Jataka Nandivisala Ox

tale:jataka_nandivisala_ox

The Bodhisattva is a mighty ox who offers to win his poor master a wager by hauling a hundred loaded carts. But when the master, before the crowd, curses and goads him as a rogue, the ox stands still in shame, and the bet is lost. Spoken to gently and praised the next time, he pulls the carts with ease and doubles the winnings. Moral: harsh words break even the willing; kind words move mountains. — Jataka tale