Make of this what you will...

Two mules travelled regularly together with their loads, from their town to the city. The first mule, a humble beast, wore a tatty cloak, and carried sacks of oats for the miller. The second mule was an arrogant animal, who wore a fine coat with jingling bells. He carried gold and silver coins for the tax collector, and loved to brag about his responsibility and importance. Running late one day, the second mule suggested taking a short-cut, off the main road, despite his companion's warnings about the risks of taking such a dangerous route. Sure enough, before too long, thieves attacked the second mule, stealing his valuable load, and leaving him injured by the roadside.

"But why me?" moaned the stricken animal, "I am attacked and robbed while the vagabonds leave you untouched?"

"I think even in this desperate place no thief would be interested in a poor miller's slave, or my humble load!" said the first mule, "But you ventured down this dangerous track and made a show of yourself - you have only yourself to blame."

Comments

Anonymous said…
and the man in a costume of sackcloth and ashes, saying "i'm umble, umble, ever so umble" is not just playing lets pretend?
robbee said…
...and then, sometime later, the humble mule wanted to obtain some financial support to start his own transport business. He worked, saved, and shared his ideas with the arrogant mule. The arrogant mule scoffed at what he described as "pretentious ideas" but agreed to introduce the humble mule to some of his friends who were well dressed and who paid particular attention to their appearance to ask for financial support for the new business venture. On arriving at this wealthy part of the town, the humble mule was ushered away by some guards and told that such a "ragged and torn beast" was not fit to walk the streets of this lovely area. Furious, the humble mule protested that he be left alone to the deaf ears of the guards and so he turned and screamed at the arrogant mule "how can they not listen to my wonderful ideas, they will help make us all rich." The arrogant mule just tutted at the ragged appearance of his colleague whilst a bystander hummed "be what you need to be, when you need to be it..."

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