Donkeys in Contrast

Often we clamor and buckle under pressure when are criticized and tend to loose confidence too early. This can lead to our downfall.

Could not we have buckled up with more determination when under onslaught of our critics and gird our loins to prove them wrong?

Could not we have retained our self esteem and faith in our capabilities oblivious of what people say, fought tooth and nail to all obstructions or distractions in our way and ultimately would have become a great success stories? After all, Sun rises from darkness.

On other hand, there are instances when accolades and praise from all and sundry driven by factors other than our real abilities and capabilities have blinded us with false pride and ultimately taken us to a disastrous path of self destruction.

Should not we be aware of our real potential and always try to improve upon ourselves in order to enhance our knowledge, skills and abilities oblivious of what people say?

 In order to illustrate the above two contrasting but related scenarios, let us ponder upon two amusing and inspiring fables.

Once, a washman’s donkey accidentally fell into a deep well. The washman first tried to rescue the donkey but gave up soon finding it too tumultuous task not worth his salt.  Realizing that the well could become bane for other animals too, the washman decided to fill up the well with dirt. He picked up a shovel and started shoveling dirt and mud into the well. Astonished, the donkey did not lose his cool. As the dirt fell upon donkey, it meticulously shook it off its body and just stepped up layer by layer. As the washman continued to throw dirt on top of the donkey, it continued with the act without fail. At the end as the well got filled up, to the amazement of the washman, the donkey could step out and trotted of the well.

Another incidence involves another donkey who was fortunate to carry an idol of a saint in an open cart in a religious city. The donkey was tastefully bedecked with best of ornaments and jewels and therefore felt greatly enamored and hubristic.

As huge mass of people flocked to see the revered idol and showered flower petals as mark of respect and worship with folded hands, some petals also landed on the donkeys back. The donkey could not help preening and jumped in ecstasy believing that the people are showing their respect for him only. As the donkey become besotted and continued to jump in uncontrolled ecstasy, the cart lost balance and the idol fell down. It is not difficult to imagine what happened next. The donkey was beaten back and blue by all and sundry till it lost its consciousness. 

 What does it take to prove our distracters wrong? Is remaining ground feet under any circumstances best policy?

 Taking clues from the fables,  it becomes important to learn how to react to the dirt or flower petals thrown at us at various instances in our life. Is there anything else also that can you infer from the “Donkeys in Contrast”?