The Hare and the Hound

by Aesop

I was only running for a dinner, but he for his life.

A HOUND started a Hare from his form, after a long run, gave up the chase. A goat-herd seeing him stop, mocked him, saying: The little one is the best runner of the two. The Hound replied: You do not see the difference between us: I was only running for a dinner, but he for his life.

Moral:
Incentive spurs effort.

Source:

Aesop's Fables
Copyright 1881
Translator: unknown
WM. L. Allison, New York
Illustrator: Harrison Weir, John Tenniel, Ernest Griset, et.al.