A waggoner was driving his team along a muddy lane with a full load behind them, when the wheels of his wagon1 sank so deep in the mire2（泥沼） that no efforts of his horses could move them. As he stood there, looking helplessly on, and calling loudly at intervals3 upon Hercules for assistance, the god himself appeared, and said to him, "Put your shoulder to the wheel, man, and goad4（刺激，煽动） on your horses, and then you may call on Hercules to assist you. If you won't lift a finger to help yourself, you can't expect Hercules or any one else to come to your aid."
Heaven helps those who help themselves.
