The Travelers and the Plane-Tree

by Aesop

TWO TRAVELERS, worn out by the heat of the summer's sun, laid themselves down at noon under the wide-spreading branches of a Plane-tree. As they rested under its shade, one of the Travelers said to the other: What a singularly useless tree is the Plane! It bears no fruit, and is not of the least service to man. The Plane-tree, interrupting him said: You ungrateful fellows! Do you, while receiving benefits from me, and resting under my shade, dare to describe me as useless, and unprofitable?

Moral:
Some men despise their best blessings because they come without cost.

Source:

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