Hoca is on his way to the village. His son is riding the donkey and Hoca is walking. Passerbys object: “Poor old man has to walk while the lad goes on the donkey. For shame! What’s the world coming to?”
Overhearing this, Hoca tells his son to get down and he mounts the donkey. Further ahead, some people sitting by the road complain:
“Look at that big hunk of a man. He has no shame. He is riding the donkey and making that poor boy walk. People these days have no pity.”
This time, Hoca asks his son to jump on the donkey. As the donkey is trudging on with the two riders, some villagers say to each other:
“For goodness sake! Two men are riding that poor donkey. How cruel! The animal is a bag of bones, anyway. They’re going to break its back.”
When Hoca hears this, he dismounts and tells his son to get down. They go on their way, walking behind the donkey. As they approach the village, some people on the road make fun of them:
“Look at those stupid fools. Their donkey is trotting and those two are trudging along. They got no brains.”
When he hears this last comment, Hoca says to his son:
“Did you hear that? It’s best to go your own way. No matter what you do, people won’t be satisfied. You can’t close anybody’s mouth tight like a bag.”
translated by Talat Halman
Leonard Durso 
A beautiful story Leonard. There is truth in the story.
I also try to go my own way, also in photography.
People still give always comments, good or bad.
I’m glad you can relate to it. Keep going your own way. Ultimately we only have ourselves to please in this world.
I remember this one. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
You’re welcome. I’m glad I’m reviving pleasant memories for you.
I love these little lessons.
Yes, they’re good. Maybe I’ll go to Aesop next.
It also teaches us not to make harsh judgements.
It’s like the old saying: you can please some of the people all the time, all of the people some of the time, but not all of the people all of the time. Here, though, you please no one.
Always true… 🙂
Glad you agree.
The parable reminds me of social media. 🙂
It does apply, doesn’t it?
I am so happy for the donkey!
Yes we all, including donkeys, need a break in this life.
I have heard here. dis story is populàr in indià .
The lesson learned here is universal.
Yeah.indeed.