When a Donkey Teaches You About Life

A message from my professor with an announcement for class, 40% off my next online purchase, and – gasp – there it is: the dreaded forwarded chain email. But while they may be incredibly annoying, the sentimentality and cheerfulness of some chain emails are often too sweet to ignore. And I’m not referring to the “email this to 10 people or your grandma will lose a bone in her leg” emails. I’m talking about the ones with loving words and life lessons, accompanied by pictures of kittens, blooming flowers, and smiling suns. Anyone who denies the feel-good nature of these emails may be questioned on the existence of their own soul.

One of these emails was too good for me to pass up. Remember that no matter what the trial, it will always make you a better person.

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey. He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well.

At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up. As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off! 

MORAL: Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a steppingstone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up.

I am currently in finals recovery: the period after taking final examinations where my brain is too fried to do anything but lounge, eat junk food, and watch tons of Netflix. Hope the rest of you are staying warm, dry, and happy!