A narrative in verse set in a farmyard features three animals—a stout, self-indulgent pig, a vigorous cock, and a gentle lamb—whose contrasting attitudes toward life form the basis of the work. The pig extols the pleasures of long, indulgent sleep as a means to relax and enjoy life without concern for the world’s demands. In opposition, the cock advocates for moderation in sleep, arguing that a healthy and alert life is achieved by staying awake and active, emphasizing that excessive sleep dulls the senses. The lamb, caught between the conflicting advices, embodies the common individual's tendency to adopt whichever stance appears most beneficial at the moment, reflecting a lack of consistent personal doctrine. The work uses the interactions between these animals to satirize the human inclination to impose personal preferences as universal truths. Each character defends a lifestyle that suits his own nature without acknowledging that what works for one may not work for another. Through the dialogue, the animals represent differing philosophies of life—self-indulgence versus industriousness—and ultimately reveal the absurdity of universal moral prescriptions. Central to the narrative is the critique of those who, like certain modern authors or philosophers, offer maxims or doctrines solely based on personal experience and self-interest, abandoning the idea that a single rule should govern all. The work thereby raises questions about the nature of wisdom and the pitfalls of assuming one’s own habits to be the ideal, suggesting instead a pluralism where each individual must determine what best serves him or her. The language is playful yet pointed, using the simplicity of farmyard life to mirror the complexity of human behavior and thought. The animals’ dialogue not only entertains but also serves as a metaphor for the broader human condition: the conflict between bodily pleasures and intellectual vigor, and the challenge of finding a balanced path in life. In sum, the narrative criticizes the tendency to adopt universally applied precepts, revealing that personal bias often underlies one’s guidance to others. It ultimately encourages a recognition of individual differences by showing that what might be a virtuous practice for one creature can be a vice or needless indulgence for another.
By Tomás de Iriarte · First published 1782 · Genre: Fable, Allegory, Satire