One man went to the city with his son. The father sat astride the donkey, and the boy walked next to him.
— Did you see what was being done? - said the people they met.
- How can this man not be ashamed? He rides a donkey himself, and makes the child walk! Good father!
Then the father got off the donkey and said to his son:
- Oh my child! I don't want people to judge me. You sit on the donkey, and I will walk next to you.
That's what they did - the boy rode on horseback, the father walked.
And again the people who met them on the road said:
- Well, have you seen anything like this? The boy sat on the donkey, like some kind of gentleman, and his father walked next to him. Good son!
Then the father stopped the donkey again and said:
“My son, people condemned us because I rode a donkey and you walked.” Now people have judged us because you ride a donkey and I walk. Wouldn't it be better if we both walked? This will not seem unfair to anyone.
So they did. They drove the donkey in front, and they themselves followed.
And again those they met pointed their fingers at them and said:
- What stupid people! They have a donkey, and they trudge on foot! It looks like there is not one donkey, but three donkeys.
- What should we do, my son? People scolded us because I was going and you were going. People scolded us because you were going and I was going. People scolded us because you are going and I am going. Maybe we should ride the donkey together?
And they both climbed onto the donkey’s back and moved on.
- What ruthless people! - the people they met said and shook their heads. - The two of us sat on one donkey. It's embarrassing to watch!
The father heard this and said:
“My son, you see, no matter what we do, we are reproached for everything.” I'm going, and you're walking - it's bad. You're going, and I'm going - it's also bad. We both go - even worse. We're both going - it's no good at all. Come on, my son, let's carry our donkey in our arms.
They took two sticks, put them under the donkey's belly and began tying them up.
- What are you doing? - passers-by ask them.
Father and son say:
“Yes, we’re making a stretcher to carry a donkey.” People are surprised: “Who is this donkey?” Except donkeys! And smart people ride donkeys themselves!
Everyone laughed and went away. And father and son were left alone in the middle of the road. The donkey meekly awaited its fate. An unfinished stretcher lay on the ground.
Finally the father said:
“My child, we were taught a good lesson today.” We obeyed everyone we met and were left fools every time. So remember my words: listening to all people is like listening to the wind.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru