A ploughman loosed his oxen from the plough and led them to the water to drink. While he was absent, a half-starved wolf appeared. It went up to the plough and began chewing the leather straps attached to the yoke. As it gnawed away desperately, hoping to satisfy its craving for food, it somehow got entangled in the harness. Taking fright, it struggled to get free, tugging at the traces as if it would drag the plough along. Just then, the ploughman returned. Seeing what was happening, he cried, "Ah, you old rascal! I wish you would give up thieving for good and take to honest work instead."