Aesop's Fables

A Miller and his son were driving their Donkey to a neighboring fair to sell him. They had not gone far when they met a troop of women gathered around a well, talking and laughing. “Look there,” cried one of them. “Did you ever see such fellows, trudging along the road on foot when they could ride?” Hearing this, the old man quickly made his son mount the Donkey and continued to walk along merrily by his side. Soon they came up to a group of old men in earnest debate. “There,” said one of them, “that proves what I was saying. What respect is shown to old age these days? Do you see that idle lad riding while his old father has to walk? Get down, you young rascal, and let the old man rest his weary limbs.” At this, the old man made his son dismount and got up himself. They had not gone far in this manner when they met a company of women and children. “Why, you lazy old fellow,” cried several voices at once, “how can you ride on the beast while that poor little lad there can hardly keep pace beside you?” The good-natured Miller immediately took his son up behind him. They had now almost reached the town. “Tell me, honest friend,” said a citizen, “is that Donkey your own?” “Yes,” replied the old man. “Oh, one would not have thought so,” said the other, “from the way you load him. Why, you two fellows are better able to carry the poor beast than he is to carry you.” “Anything to please you,” said the old man. “We can at least try.” So he and his son got down, tied the legs of the Donkey together, and, with the help of a pole, endeavored to carry him on their shoulders over a bridge near the entrance to the town. This entertaining sight brought the people out in crowds to laugh at it, until the Donkey, liking neither the noise nor the strange handling he was subjected to, broke the cords that bound him and, tumbling off the pole, fell into the river. At this, the old man, vexed and ashamed, made his way home again as fast as he could, convinced that by endeavoring to please everybody he had pleased nobody and had lost his Donkey in the bargain.