In a village, a dog frequently defecated by the side of the communal well. Dozens of families who relied on the well for water were disgusted by this and wished to complain to the dog's owner, hoping he would control his pet.
However, whenever someone approached the owner's gate to lodge a complaint, the dog would pounce on them, barking and snapping. This aggressive behavior frightened people so much that no one dared to approach the house.
The story suggests that those who fear having their shortcomings exposed are much like this dog—they try to block any path that might lead to criticism, preventing others from speaking up.