The Old Man, the Boy, and the Mule

   The other day someone was talking about the problem they were having  trying to please several different people at the same time.  I was tempted to tell them this story that my mother told me when I was trying to please everyone while planning my wedding.  

I can remember exactly where we were - I had just driven us home from Kroger's and we were parked in the car across from our house.  We just sat there in the car while she shared this little nugget of wisdom.  

You've probably heard it before but sometimes it's good to hear again and remember to accept that you just can't please everyone!

   There was once an old man, a young boy, and a mule going on a long journey.  As they started out the old man placed the young boy on the mule and he walked along with them.  The first town they came to all the people watching them clucked their tongues and said, 

   "Why is the old man walking while the young boy gets to ride?" 

So they switched places and the old man rode while the boy walked.   The second town they came to all the people watching them frowned and said 

"Why does the old man get to ride and the young boy have to walk?"

So they both climbed up on the mule.  As they came to the next town all the people were shocked and said, 

"How can you make that poor mule carry both of you?"  

So they both got off the mule and they both walked next to the mule.  As they got to the last town all the people watching laughed at them and said, 

"Why are you both walking when someone could be riding the mule?"