A Hound scared and chased a Hare but gave up after some distance. Asked why, the Hound cited motivation: Hound ran for supper, Hare ran for life.
Motivation is everything.
Townsend version
A hound started a Hare from his lair, but after a long run, gave up the chase. A goat-herd seeing him stop, mocked him, saying “The little one is the best runner of the two.” The Hound replied, “You do not see the difference between us: I was only running for a dinner, but he for his life.”
JBR Collection
A Dog having given a long chase to a fine Hare, that showed himself to be a splendid runner, was at length forced, by want of breath, to give over the pursuit. The owner of the Dog thereupon taunted him upon his want of spirit in having allowed himself to be beaten by the Hare. “Ah master” answered the Dog, “it’s all very well for you to laugh, but we had not the same stake at hazard. He was running for his life, while I was only running for my dinner.
Lepus, Canis, et Caprarius
Ex fruticeto leporem villosipedem quem excitaverat, insequebatur canis, venandi non imperitus. Cursu tamen fuit impar, et caprarius quidam dixit per iocum, “Quantula bestia reperta fuit te velocior?” Cui canis, “Currit aliquis aliter alium rapere qui cupit, et aliter alium qui ex malo servat.”
Perry #331