Tara

22 Appreciation

1	An Ass bound in service to a herb seller who gave him too little food did petition Bel to be released.
2	Bel thus appeared and said: Where there be no consent, no binding may stand. Therefore you are free to go.
3	The Ass soon found employment with a tile maker who did feed him, but worked him so hard, he could not move.
4	The Ass then called out to Bel and pleaded: Oh wise Lord Bel, I fear the tilemaker may kill me under my oath.
5	I seek an agreement where I neither work too hard and have all the food I seek.
6	Suddenly Bel appeared again and said: Where there be bad faith even if there be consent, no binding may stand. Therefore you are free to go.
7	Whereupon the Ass agreed to a solemn binding with a merchant that promised him all the food he could eat without any work for but one day of distress.
8	Soon after he discovered the merchant was none other than a tanner and upon his final end, cried out to Bel and said: Oh merciful Bel, save me!
9	For better to have been either starved by the one, or overworked by the other than a good to be slaughtered and skinned for profit.
10	Bel did appear to the Ass and said thus: Where there be consent and good faith, all agreements must be met.