A Man, His Son, and the Donkey

A man and his son were taking their donkey to be sold at the market.

As they walked along by its side a man passed them and said, “You fools, what is a donkey for but to ride upon?”

So the man put his son on the donkey and they went on their way.

Soon they passed a group of men, and one of them said, “See that lazy youngster, he lets his father walk while he rides.”

So the man told his son to get off, and got on himself.

They hadn’t gone far when they passed two women, one of whom said to the other, “Shame on that lazy lout to let his poor little son trudge along.”

Not knowing what else to do, he pulled his boy up with him on the Donkey.

By this time they had come to the town, and the passers-by began to jeer and point at them. The townsfolk said, “Aren’t you ashamed of yourself for overloading that poor donkey?”

The man and his son tried to think of what to do. At last they cut down a pole, tied the donkey’s feet to it, and carried the donkey through the town. They walked amidst the laughter of all who saw them until they came to a bridge. As they crossed the donkey managed to kick free, and in the struggle fell over the bridge and drowned.

“Let that be a lesson to you!” said an old man who had followed them, “If you try to please everyone, you may as well kiss your ass good-bye.”

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