Why do we say "Make hay while the sun shines"?

Meaning:

Take advantage of opportunities when they present themselves

Background:

This proverb, which alludes to the drying of grass to make hay to feed lifestock during the winter, first appeared in Alexander Barclay's satire Ship of Fools in 1509, and later in John Heywood's 1546 book of proverbs: When the sun shineth, make hay.

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