Hercules and the Wagoner
A wagoner was driving his heavily loaded cart along a muddy road after the rain when the wheels sank deep into the mud and would not budge.
He sat down beside the cart, lifted his hands to the sky, and cried out to the god Hercules, "Please pull my cart free from this mud!"
He just sat there doing nothing, only complaining and repeating his prayers over and over for a very long time.
Suddenly a booming voice echoed from the sky: "Get up, put your shoulder to the wheel, and urge your horse forward — then ask for my help."
The wagoner got up, put his full strength into pushing the wheel, and urged his horse forward. At last, the cart broke free from the mud through his own effort.
Moral of the story
Heaven helps those who help themselves — don't just wait for help without taking action.
The original plot is in the public domain. Copyright is reserved in the Hoot Tales retelling, translation, illustrations, and presentation.
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