A Miller and his Son were taking their Ass to market to sell him, and
that he might get thither in good condition, they drove him gently
before them. They had not proceeded far before they met a company of
travellers: Sure, say they, you are mighty careful of your Ass; one
of you might as well get up and ride, as suffer him to walk on at his
ease, while you trudge after on foot. In compliance with this advice,
the Old Man set his Son upon the beast. And now, they had scarcely
advanced a quarter of a mile further, before they met another company.
You idle young rogue, said one, why dont you get down, and let your
poor father ride? Upon this, the Old Man made his Son dismount, and got
up himself. While they were marching in this manner, a third company
began to insult the father. You hard-hearted wretch, say they, how can
you suffer that poor lad to wade through the dirt, while you, like an
alderman, ride at your ease? The good-natured Miller stood corrected,
and immediately took his Son up behind him. And now the next man
they met exclaimed, with more vehemence and indignation than all the
rest, Was there ever such a couple of lazy loobies! to overload in so
unconscionable a manner, a poor dumb creature, who is far less able
to carry you, than you are to carry him! The complying Old Man would
have been half inclined to make the trial, had not experience by this
time sufficiently convinced him, that there cannot be a more fruitless
attempt, than to endeavour to please all mankind.