A Miller His Son And Their Ass

★ A Miller His Son And Their Ass  Story :

A miller and his son were driving their ass to a neighboring fair to sell him. They had not gone far when they met a troop of women collected around a well. “Look,” cried one, “did you ever see such fellows, to be trudging on foot when they might ride?” The old man, hearing this, made his son mount, and continued to walk at his side.

Presently they came to a group of old men in debate. “There,” said one of them, “it proves what I was a-saying: what respect is shown to old age in these days? Do you see that idle lad riding, while his old father has to walk? Get down, you young scapegrace, and let the old man rest his weary limbs.” Upon this the old man made his son dismount, and got up himself.

Soon they met a company of women and children. “Why, you lazy old fellow,” cried several tongues at once, “how can you ride upon the beast, while that poor little lad can hardly keep pace by the side of you?” The miller immediately took up his son behind him. They had now almost reached the town.

“Pray, honest friend,” said a citizen, “is that ass your own?” “Yes,” said the old man. “Oh, one would not have thought so,” said the other, “by the way you load him. Why, you two fellows are better able to carry the poor beast than he you.” So they tied the legs of the ass together, and by the aid of a pole endeavored to carry him on their shoulders over a bridge. The sight brought the people in crowds to laugh at it; till the ass broke the cords that held him and fell into the river. Upon this, the old man, vexed and ashamed, made his way home.

In trying to please everybody one is quite likely to please nobody.

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