_The Miller and his Donkey._
There was a miller, never mind in what part of the country, who had
a tall, gawky son; but their combined wit had not proved sufficient
to keep their business in a flourishing condition, for the poor man
got poorer and poorer, selling one thing after another that was not
absolutely required to keep the mill going, when, indeed, there was
work for it to do, till the turn came for the donkey to be sold.
This donkey had been a faithful servant to the miller, who looked upon
it as a friend, and being a kind feeling man, it was with a heavy heart
he made up his mind to take it to the fair to sell--but there is no
resisting necessity.
On the day of the fair, having some distance to go, he started early,
and took his son with him, that they might both see the last of their
friend.
The donkey walked on in front, thoughtfully and demurely, as donkeys
are wont to do, whilst the father and son followed sorrowfully. They
soon got into the high road, which was crowded with people going to
the fair, and the two poor simple fellows soon became the butt of the
different wits. "That is a hopeful son of yours," one would say to
the father; "you must feel proud of him I should think." And another
would say to the son, pointing with his thumb to his father, "The old
'un looks a tartar; does he whip you much?" Many of the like remarks
we made to father and son, loud enough to be heard by both, though
pretended to be in a whisper; but the principal shafts were shot at
them in conversations carried on round about, not a word of which could
they fail to hear.
"Did you ever see such an old fool as that," said one, "to be walking
along this hot road, and his donkey going on in front with nothing to
carry?" "Oh," another said, "that's the donkey behind, for he in front
is much the wiser of the two." "I wonder," another joined in, "the old
fellow doesn't take more care of himself at his time of life, if not
for his own sake, at least for his baby's, for what would become of the
poor child if anything were to happen to him?"
Stung by these remarks the old man got on to the donkey, though he
regretted giving the poor beast such a load to carry, and he sought
to lighten it by partly walking, for his long legs easily reached
the ground. This made matters worse, for he soon heard one of his
tormentors say, "Look there, was there ever such an old brute? He's
taking it easy, and lets his poor boy toil along as best he can. Such
an interesting child, too! Oh, if its mother did but know how cruelly
her darling child is being treated."
Hearing this the miller made his son take his place, and wondered, as
he walked by his side, whether he was now doing right.
He was as far from it as ever, poor man, for he very shortly heard an
exclamation, and this time from an old man, whose opinion should carry
some weight. "Well, this is too bad; what will the world come to next?
Here's a big lout of a fellow riding whilst his old father's walking.
It's disgraceful, that it is, for if even the fellow's lame, at any
rate he should make room for the old man. The donkey's strong enough to
carry the two."
[Illustration: _The Burdened Beast._]
Now the miller got on the donkey in front of his son, to whom he
whispered not to weigh too heavily on the poor beast's back, and they
got on for some distance in peace. But it was not to last long, for
when the donkey happened to stumble, from kicking against a stone,
there was a general outcry: "They want to kill the poor beast. Is there
no one to interfere? But it's one comfort that cruelty to animals can
be punished. Who'll inform against these two big brutes? Why either
of them is strong enough to carry the poor little thing, instead of
breaking its back, as they are doing with their weight."
"When shall we do what's right?" said the poor Miller. "Get off, my
Son, and so will I, and we'll carry the donkey between us. Surely then
we shall not be blamed."
[Illustration: _The Beast a Burden._]
Having borrowed a strong pole, they tied the donkey's four legs to it,
and each taking an end of the pole across his shoulder, they managed,
though with great difficulty, to carry it; but it seemed impossible
to please the people. There was a general shout of laughter as the two
poor fellows toiled along, nearly weighed down by the load they were
carrying; but that was not enough, for the most insulting epithets were
showered upon them, till worried and distressed beyond endurance, the
Old Man exclaimed, in despair, "I see there is no doing right, but as
long as we remain together fault will be found, so we must part, my old
friend;" and as they just then came to a bridge, with his son's help,
he threw the donkey over the side into the river below.
[Decoration]