The Man, the Boy and the Donkey
One day a man was going to market with his son and donkey. They met a couple on the way.
“Why walk when you have a donkey to ride?” called out the husband, “seat the boy on the donkey.”
“I would like that,” said the boy, “help me up father.” And the father did that willingly.
Soon they met another couple. “How shameful of you!” cried the woman, “let your father ride, won’t he be tired?”
So, the boy got down and the father rode the donkey. Again they marched on.
“Poor boy”, said the next person they met, “Why should the lazy father ride while his son is walking?”
So, the boy got onto the donkey too. As they went on, they met some travelers.
“How cruel of them!” They are up to kill the poor donkey.” Cried one of the traveler.
Hearing this, the father and the son got down. Now they decided to carry the donkey on their shoulders.
As they did so, the travelers broke into laughter. The laughter frightened the donkey. It broke free and galloped away.
Moral Of The Story: Don’t always worry what others will tell about you, think and do what is best for your situation
The story of The Man, the Boy, and the Donkey is a timeless fable that uses humor and irony to teach an important life lesson. At its core, the story highlights the futility of trying to please everyone. No matter what choices the man and his son make—whether walking, riding, or even carrying the donkey—someone always finds fault with their actions. This reflects the reality that no decision will ever satisfy everyone, and the effort to do so can lead to absurd and counterproductive outcomes.
The humorous twist at the end, where the man and boy try to carry the donkey on their shoulders, underscores the ridiculous lengths people might go to in an attempt to avoid criticism. The scene is comically exaggerated, making it clear that worrying excessively about others’ opinions can lead to impractical or even foolish actions.
Ultimately, the story uses humor to convey a profound moral: instead of being overly concerned with what others think, focus on what is logical, practical, and best for your own situation. It reminds us that living authentically and confidently is far more important than seeking universal approval.
The story of The Man, the Boy, and the Donkey serves as a powerful reminder that it is impossible to satisfy everyone, no matter how hard you try. By attempting to conform to every opinion, you may end up losing sight of what truly matters and, in some cases, even harming yourself or your goals. The humorous ending of the story teaches us that worrying too much about the judgment of others can lead to absurdity and failure.
The conclusion is simple: make decisions based on what is right and practical for your circumstances, rather than trying to meet everyone else’s expectations. True wisdom lies in understanding that you cannot control the opinions of others, but you can control your own actions and remain true to yourself.
