Friday, August 18, 2006

Most Quotable Friday - a parable

An old man, a boy, and a donkey were going to town. The boy rode on the donkey and the old man walked. As they went along they passed some people who remarked it was a shame the old man was walking and the boy was riding. The man and boy thought maybe the critics were right, so they changed positions.

Later, they passed some people that remarked, "What a shame, he makes that little boy walk". They then decided they both would walk.

Soon they passed some more people who thought they were stupid to walk when they had a decent donkey to ride. So, they both rode the donkey.

Now they passed some people that shamed them by saying how awful to put such a load on a poor donkey. The boy and man said they were probably right, so they decided to carry the donkey.

As they crossed the bridge, they lost their grip on the animal and he fell into the river and drowned.

The moral of the story?

If you try to please everyone, you might as well kiss your ass good-bye.

- Author unknown

5 comments:

Jen said...

I could have used this little parable over on my blog today!

Crazy MomCat said...

OH, what a good lesson that is! It's taken several years, but I'm converting my super people pleaser ways too because that is all too true! Thanks for sharing!

Bonnie B said...

How true! But I do dream of one day where everyone is happy at the same time. You can't please everyone and that is one of life's hardest lessons. I need to post this parable to my head.

Pendullum said...

I loved it...
Thank you for sharing that...
and how true is that!?

socialworker/frustrated mom said...

Haha that was a really great one. Great lesson!