The Miller, His Son, and Their Ass

 Author: Aesop

A Miller was driving his Ass to market with his young son in the hopes of finding a buyer. On the route, they encountered a group of laughing and talking girls who shouted, "Did you ever see such a pair of fools?" To be walking down the dusty road when they could be riding!" The Miller saw logic in what they said, so he had his son mount the Ass while he strolled to the side. When they arrived, they were hailed by some of his old pals, who exclaimed, "You'll spoil that Son of yours, letting him ride while you toil along on foot!" Make him walk, you slacker! It will do him the world of good."

The Miller took their advice and sat on the back of the Ass while his son struggled along behind. They hadn't gone far when they came across a group of women and children, who exclaimed, "What a selfish old man!" He rides in comfort, but leaves his poor young kid to follow on his own legs!" So he ordered his son to stand behind him. They came across some travelers who inquired the Miller if the Ass he was riding was his own or if it had been hired for the occasion. He replied that it was his and that he was going to market to sell it.

"Good heavens!" they exclaimed, "with that load, the poor beast will be so exhausted by the time he arrives that no one will look at him." You'd be better off carrying him!" "Anything to please you," the elderly guy responded, "we can but try." So they got down, tied the Ass's legs together with a rope, slung him on a pole, and carried him to town between them. This was such a ridiculous sight that crowds gathered to laugh and chaffed the Father and Son mercilessly, some even calling them lunatics.

They had then arrived at a river bridge, where the Ass, terrified by the noise and his peculiar predicament, kicked and struggled until he snapped the ropes that held him and plunged into the water, drowning. The wretched Miller, annoyed and ashamed, made his way home again, believing that in trying to satisfy everyone, he had satisfied no one and had lost his Ass in the process.

Moral: Everyone has an opinion, and no one can please everyone.