Russell Brown used Netscape Composer to make this page
The mule fell into the farmer's well. The farmer heard the mule 'braying'-- or whatever mules do when they fall into wells. After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. Instead, he called his neighbors together and told them what had happened... and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put her out of her misery.
Initially, the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit her back... a thought struck her. It suddenly dawned on her that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on her back... she should shake it off and step up! This she did, blow after blow.
"Shake it off and step up... shake it off and step up... shake it off and step up!" she repeated to encourage herself. No matter how painful the blows, or distressing the situation seemed the old mule fought "panic" and just kept right on shaking it off and stepping up!
You're right! It wasn't long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped triumphantly over the wall of that well! What seemed like it would bury her, actually blessed her... all because of the manner in which she handled her adversity.
That's
life!
If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give
in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity... the adversities that come along
to bury us usually have within them the potential to benefit and bless
us! Remember that forgiveness-- faith-- prayer-- praise and hope...
all
are excellent ways to "shake it off and step up" out of the wells
in which we find ourselves!
Russell Brown
maintains this site and last updated this page 1999 February 26.
He has been unable to determine the author and the copyright status of
this story. He edited for it for HTML. Except as otherwise noted, this
site and all its pages, files, images, text, and code are copyright ©
1998-2000 by Russell Brown.
If you have information to update this site, just let him know. If
you have problems, questions, comments or suggestions, E-mail [email protected].
Russell Brown used Netscape
Composer to make this page
Fortune City hosts this page.