A threshing stone is a common agricultural tool for grinding grain. While a very large tool and a common sight, a threshing stone is only useful immediately after the autumn harvest, when grain can be processed. This riddle describes a threshing stone as a person who is not helpful the majority of the time, sleeping through the summer and winter. The riddle also points out that even when it can help, the threshing stone will squeak from its months without use.