A parable is told of a
farmer who owned an old mule. The mule
fell into the farmer's well. The farmer heard the mule 'braying'- 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 and 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 suddenly dawned on
him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back...
HE SHOULD 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 to
encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows, or distressing the
situation seemed the old mule fought panic and just kept right on
SHAKING IT OFF AND
STEPPING UP!
You're right!
It wasn't long before
the old mule, battered and exhausted,
STEPPED TRIUMPHANTLY
OVER THE WALL OF THAT WELL!
What seemed like would
bury him, actually blessed 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...
