Hahaha, it reminded me of "The Fable of the Two Donkeys." In this story, the fabulist depicted the trials of two donkeys tied together. The rope separating them prevented them from eating the two piles of alfalfa their caretaker had accumulated on either side of the field. Driven by the selfishness and stubbornness typical of donkeys, each pulled in its own direction. Their combined effort (based on selfishness and obstinacy) prevented them from reaching either pile. Finally, they reasoned, decided to work together, and ate both piles of fodder, one after the other.