There was a sturdy ram1 with a pair of thick horns upright on its head.
It strutted2 about proudly and saw a fence built with bamboo and wood in front, which blocked its way. It cast a sidelong glance at the fence, lowered its neck and lunged at the fence, hoping to knock it down. The fence remained intact but the ram injured its own horns.
If it had not injured its horns, the ram would have persisted obstinately3 in butting4 against the fence, even against the spokes5 of a wheel until it bled with a fractured skull6.
As a result, with its horns caught in the fence, the ram could neither advance nor retreat butbleat7 helplessly.