There was once a man who owned an ox named Nandiwitharia. He was a kind man and loved the ox as it was so hard-working.
One day the ox recognised that the master fed it well and kept it in a good place and thought, ‘That’s why I need to be grateful to my master.’ It told the master to seek the rich man in town and tell him, ‘ My ox is very strong, it can pull a hundred carts with sand and pebbles. I bet 1,000 kyats that this is possible.’
He placed the bet and poured a sweet-smelling fragrance over the ox. He said, ‘Dishonest ox, go and carry out your task.’
Nandiwitharia, however, did not pull the carts because the master had called it dishonest. The ox became angry as it considered itself to be honest.
The master asked, ‘What happened?’
The ox replied, ‘What did I do wrong when working for you. Why did you call me dishonest? You can bet 2,000 kyats this time but speak kindly to me.’
The master carried out his suggestion and the ox pulled the loads with ease. So the master won the money and the ox got a prize.
Showing appreciation encourages cooperation and achievement.