Parable of the Mule
Once there was a farmer who owned an old
mule. One day the mule fell into the
farmer's well and the farmer heard the
mule 'praying' or whatever mules do when they fall into
wells.
After carefully assessing the situation,
the farmer sympathized with the mule,
but decided that neither the mule nor
the well was worth the trouble of
saving.
Instead, he called his neighbors
together, told them what had happened
and enlisted them to help haul dirt to
bury the old mule in the well and put
him out of his misery.
Initially, the old mule was hysterical!
But as the farmer and his neighbors
continued shoveling and the dirt hit his
back, a thought struck him. It dawned
on him that every time a shovel load of
dirt landed on his back HE COULD SHAKE
IT OFF AND STEP UP! This he did, blow
after blow. "Shake it off and step
up...shake it off and step up...shake it
off and step up!".
He repeated this to encourage himself.
No matter how painful the blows, or how
distressing the situation seemed, the
old mule fought "panic" and just kept
right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP!
It wasn't long before the old mule,
battered and exhausted, STEPPED
TRIUMPHANTLY OVER THE WALL OF THAT WELL!
What seemed like it would bury him
actually helped him...all because of the
manner in which he handled his adversity.
THAT'S LIFE! If we face our problems and respond to them
positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or
self-pity
THE ADVERSITIES THAT COME ALONG TO BURY US USUALLY
HAVE WITHIN THEM THE VERY REAL POTENTIAL TO BENEFIT
US!
"Never be afraid to try something new.
Remember that amateurs built the ark.
Professionals built the Titanic." |
