# The Oxen and the Axletrees explained — Aesop's Fables

> Chapter companion for Aesop's Fables by Aesop.

## What happens

A pair of oxen, while pulling a heavy wagon, are annoyed by the loud creaking of the axletrees. They rebuke the axletrees for complaining loudly despite doing none of the work, illustrating that those who suffer least often complain the most.

## Themes in this chapter

### Justice and Consequence

The oxen's indignation highlights the unfairness of those who contribute little yet complain loudly, suggesting a natural consequence for such behavior.

### Human Nature and Vice

The fable critiques the vice of complaining without cause, a common human failing where the least burdened are often the most vocal.

## Character check-ins

### The Ox

The oxen are the hardworking pair who pull the heavy wagon and rebuke the axletrees for their unnecessary noise.

## Key lines

> They complain most who suffer least.

Those who have the least to endure are often the ones who grumble the loudest.

_This moral directly states the lesson of the fable, emphasizing the irony of complaining without real hardship._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se/chapters/the-oxen-and-the-axletrees
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se/chapters