WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK

   Once upon a time . . . a farmer and his son went to market to sell a
donkey. However, they loaded the beast into the wheelbarrow, so that it would
not reach market tired and worn out, and pushed it along the road. When people
saw such a peculiar sight, they loudly remarked: "That man is mad! Whoever saw
a donkey being taken to market in a wheelbarrow!"
   The poor farmer became more and more confused, for the farther he went, the
louder the comments became and the more people gossiped. It was the last straw
when, as they passed the blacksmith's forge, the smith jeeringly asked the
farmer if he wanted shoeing, since he was doing the donkey work! So the farmer
stopped, heaved the animal out of the wheelbarrow and climbed onto its back,
while his son walked behind.
   But that made matters even worse!
   A group of women going home from market instantly complained: "You cruel
man! Fancy a great lump like you riding a donkey, while your poor little boy
runs along behind! You ought to be ashamed of yourself!"
   People heaped insult upon insult, till the unhappy farmer slid off the
donkey . He simply did not know what to do next. He took off his cap and
mopped his brow.
   "Whew!" he exclaimed. "I never imagined it could be so difficult to take a
donkey to market."
   Then he hoisted his little boy onto the donkey and walked along behind.
This time, a cluster of men began to protest.
   "Look at that! There's a young lad sitting pretty as you please , on top of
a donkey, while his weary old father has to go on foot!" "It's a disgrace."
   Once again, father and son came to a halt. How on earth could they stop
people from criticizing everything they did? Well, in the end, they both got
on the donkey.
   "What heartless folk!" exclaimed the passers-by. "Two riders on one little
donkey!" But by now the farmer had lost his patience. He gave the donkey a
terrible kick, saying:
   "Giddy up! From now on, I'll do things my way, and pay no attention to what
other people think!"
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