A wild horse meeting a domestic one, taunted him with his condition of
servitude. The tamed animal claimed that he was as free as the wind.
"If that is so," said the other, "pray tell me the office of that bit
in your mouth."
"That," was the answer, "is iron, one of the best tonics in the
_materia medica_."
"But what," said the other, "is the meaning of the rein attached to
it?"
"Keeps it from falling out of my mouth when I am too indolent to hold
it," was the reply.
"How about the saddle?"
"Fool!" was the angry retort; "its purpose is to spare me fatigue:
when I am tired, I get on and ride."