One day a crowd of people was walking along the road. Each carried his own cross on his shoulder.

One person thought that his cross was very heavy. He was very cunning.
Lagging behind everyone, he went into the forest and sawed off part of the cross.
Satisfied that he outwitted everyone, he caught up with them and moved on.

Suddenly an abyss appeared on the way. All laid down their crosses and crossed over.

The sly man remained on this side of the abyss since his cross was short.