Of Cows And Men

While passing by a river, I saw a man leading a crying cow. “Where’re you going,” I ask. He says, "I must kill this cow so that my family may eat." The cow sniffled, "I have been a good cow. I have given my milk for cheese, but I can't provide for the man anymore." I turned in anger, "How dare you! This cow has given her life to provide for you!" The man hung his head, "She is loyal and hardworking, but my family is sick. My family is dying and poor." I cry, "Why not berries or grains?" The man shook his head, "I can’t plow a field. My wife becomes ill on grain. My children are poisoned by berries. These things fill us up but threaten our lives." He leads away the sobbing cow. It brings me sadness, but I know life must come from death.