The Preacher and the Cows — Thus Spoke Zarathustra

Leaving the ugliest man, Zarathustra feels cold and alone. Then the path turns greener and his heart warms again. He follows the smell of cattle and finds cows listening to a seated preacher. Zarathustra rushes in, fearing someone is hurt, but the man is only teaching the herd to stay calm.

The preacher is the voluntary beggar who once gave away his wealth to the poor. They refused him, so he fled to animals. He says people are full of disgust now, rich and poor alike. The kingdom of heaven, he claims, belongs to cows because they ruminate, rest, and avoid heavy thoughts. He rants about corrupt rich men and rebellious poor ones with equal bitterness.

Zarathustra smiles and says the man's harsh words do not match his gentle face or stomach. He is more plant-eater than butcher, more honey than rage. Zarathustra sends him to the cave for the night and tells him to talk with the eagle and serpent. When the beggar calls him better than a cow, Zarathustra laughs and chases him away with his stick. Giving well, Zarathustra says, is harder than taking, and this man never learned that art. The cows stare in wonder while the two men argue about disgust, honey, and real kindness.