A Camel was asked if he preferred to go up-hill or down-hill. The Camel asked back if the flat way through the desert was closed? Wise Camel.
Foresake the hard when an easier way is available.
Townsend version
An Arab camel-driver, after completing the loading of his Camel, asked him which he would like best, to go up hill or down. The poor beast replied, not without a touch of reason: “Why do you ask me? Is it that the level way through the desert is closed?”
Babrius Translation (The Arab and The Camel)
An Arab, having heap’d his camel’s back,
Ask’d if he chose to take the upward track
Or downward; and the beast had sense to say,
“Am I cut off then from the level way?”
Perry #287