It is in the nature of things that those who save the world from certain destruction often don't get hugely rewarded because, since the certain destruction does not take place, people are uncertain how certain it may have been and are, therefore, somewhat tight when it comes to handing out anything more substantial than praise.
The Kite was landed rather roughly on the corrugated surface of the river Ankh and, as happens to public things lying around which don't appear to belong to anyone, quickly became the private property of many, many people.
 Terry Pratchett, The Last Hero (2001). copy citation

edit
Author Terry Pratchett
Source The Last Hero
Topic ingratitude reward
Date 2001
Language English
Reference
Note
Weblink

Meaning and analysis

write a note
report