An Ass was being driven along a road leading down a mountainside when suddenly he took it into his silly head to choose his own path. He could see his stall at the foot of the mountain, and to him the quickest way down seemed to be over the edge of the nearest cliff. Just as he was about to leap over, his master caught him by the tail and tried to pull him back, but the stubborn Ass would not yield and pulled with all his might. “Very well,” said his master, “go your way, you willful beast, and see where it leads you.” With that he let go, and the foolish Ass tumbled head over heals down the mountainside.
They who will not listen to reason but stubbornly go their own way against the friendly advice of those who are wiser than they, are on the road to misfortune.
Good ol’ Aesop. This was one of my son’s read aloud stories for school today. After he was able to stop giggling whenever he said the word “Ass”, he read it quite well and could tell me in his own words what the story meant. He was even able to give me other examples to illustrate the point. Smart kid. 🙂 This story should be required reading for everyone.
(Giggle!)
THIS is a good story. Not your typical “Do whatever pleases you and expect everyone to support it.” kind of silliness that most kids are getting fed now a days…
Love it.
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I’d think this would be more applicable to Zoe…as whether she knows it or not, if she choses to marry, she may be in the role of the one yanking on the tail of her own Ass. Hmmm.
I’m having THAT kind of day…fear ye, the Amazon is not amused with ANYTHING.
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Great post. Yes, I agree with you, Niki that everyone should have to read this. We wouldn’t have so many willful people today. 🙂
It’s moments like these that make homeschooling so sweet.
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A short fable packed with wonderful morals. Thanks for the reminder Niki.
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This is a good lesson to learn early in life. I can just see Max giggling, perhaps because he thought he was getting away with swearing.
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I always think of God and our free will when I read this fable – :Sigh: how many times does He tell me “Not that way,” and I go on anyway, only to cry for help when I’ve fallen?
Thank God that He does, help that is, anyway!
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