THE DONKEY’S GRIEF

Once I saw a donkey climbing a mountain in a great speed

I wondered what had happened and tried to inquire but it did not heed

Perceiving there was something fishy going on, I followed it to the top

I saw the donkey ready to jump; unable to bear I shouted “STOP”

I asked “Why are you dying ‘O’ donkey, though you are so wise?

Don’t you know committing suicide is an act of cowardice?”

The donkey wept bitterly and asked “How can you know my worry?

If you have patience to bear, I will tell you my story.

I have served my master all my life with great love and care

Unlike his disobedient children who just roam here and there

But now whenever his children do something which is not good

He calls them ‘You donkeys’ which is a disgrace to whole donkey hood

How can I bear to hear him compare his bad children with me?

Instead of being compared with them, better dead I would be”

I had no words of comfort to say to this poor creature

But I resolved never to compare any human to animal in future.