The metaphor is that there is some baseline you must do to get fed each day / live. For the hamster, it just happens by nature of living in a cage - but it's no

The metaphor is that there is some baseline you must do to get fed each day / live. For the hamster, it just happens by nature of living in a cage - but it's not pleasant ("will I get fed today?" being a constant concern) For people who work low income jobs, it's similar and the cage is the job(s). Both hamsters are in a cage (job to live), and yes - when one is more noisy, runs more, etc. (works real hard) the owner notices it more frequently and gives it food, treats, etc. (better pay) The question is, which hamster has a better life?