21 The Lazy Donkey


The Lazy Donkey

He was a poor man, but he did own a donkey, that is a very lazy donkey, even although it has always been treated kindly by its owner. It is well looked after but still; it is very lazy. it will do anything to avoid having to do any work. The owner earned a living by transporting salt from the mine to the town.

One day he loaded the donkey with the bags of salt. On the way along the edge of the river the donkey slipped and fell into the river. Of course, the salt began to dissolve in the water and the load became lighter. The donkey thinks this is marvellous. The next journey carrying the bags of salt the donkey does not slip but he makes sure that he ends up in the water, again lightening his load.

This happens a number of times and the owner thinks that he has to find a solution to this problem, this is costing him money. The next day he loads two sacks onto the back of the donkey weighing almost the exact same weight but this time not with salt but with cotton. Again, the donkey makes sure he ends up in the water. This time, however, rather than the load becoming lighter becomes so much heavier. The donkey finds it difficult to get out of the water without the help of its owner. 

He gets out of the water with help and starts back along the track but now the weight on his back is almost unbearable. A lesson has been learned. To give of our very best in anything we do is the honest way to live.




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