A Greek Tragedy

Pre-amble: The English word "tragedy" is derived from the Greek word "τραγωδια" that means goat-song. (From τραγος meaning male goat and ωδη meaning song. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tragedy#Origin)

Once upon a time a man named George lived in a Greek village. He owned a prized stud goat named Nick and the other villagers brought their nanny goats for service. They paid George a fee and he had a nice income that way.

The mayor of the village and his cronies were jealous and forced George to sell Nick to the village using some "eminent domain" excuse.

However, the next time someone brought a nanny goat to Nick, he ignored her completely and kept chewing grass. After several such incidents the mayor called George and asked him to find out why Nick had lost interest in sex. George went to see the goat and came back to the mayor. He said that he had asked Nick why he was not working and Nick had told him: "Boss, when I was with you I had to make an effort so both of us could eat. Now I am a civil servant; I do not have to work."

Post-script: I heard this story around 1960 when I was still living in Greece. In a few words it encapsulates the reasons for the Greek malaise and I never forgot it. There is more to it than the punch line!