A carter was driving a wagon1 along a country lane, when thewheels sank down deep into a rut. The rustic2 driver, stupefiedand aghast, stood looking at the wagon, and did nothing but utterloud cries to hercules to come and help him. Hercules, it issaid, appeared and thus addressed him: "Put your shoulders to thewheels, my man. goad3 on your bullocks, and never more pray to mefor help, until you have done your best to help yourself, ordepend upon it you will henceforth pray in vain." 
Self-help is the best help. 