This parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule. The mule fell into the farmer’s well. The farmer heard the mule praying 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, told them what had happened, and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.
Initially the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back, a thought struck him. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back, HE WOULD SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP!
This he did, blow after blow. “Shake it off and step up…shake it off and step up…shake it off and step up!” He repeated to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows, or how distressing the situation seemed, the old mule fought panic and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP!
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 him actually helped him . . . all because of the manner in which he handled his 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.
Author Unknown
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{ 117 comments… read them below or add one }
The story is really good i like it alot
Really inspiring!
Excellent & highly motivating.
Great motivating story…
Thanks..
Wow! Fantastic, marvelous, superb…
A most inspiring story to win over the tough situation in life.
I like this story very much and I got advantage more in life to be more persistent and resistant! Thanks much more again!!!
PS: I am from Eritrea.
EXCELLENT…its abt convertin all ur “-” to “+”
lol………………the mule has something inside his head…………………..anyway it is a good story
Excellent!
Truly lovely and an inspiring one…..will share it with all my friends.
Listen to ur inner words don’t listen any one words……
Excellent story.
Superb
IT HAS LOVEY MESSAGE
nice!!!
the story is exceptionaly good and conveys a for the hard working and inspired people.Gr888888888 one………
this story inspires people not to panic in bad times and face that problem bravely.
this story inspires me a lot.after reading this i learn to face difficulties positively
whawww!!!!!!!!!! really mind blowing
simply great!
This is so remarkable… I really like this one
Nice story
Think a passitive way, when you are in trouble.
Very soul-consoling!!!!!!
I really appretiate this moral boosting story.. Superb…..!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a lovely and positive story! And it also gives a moral that if animal’s cat give up than why should we “HUMAN BEING’S”. IN LIFE NOT ONLY ENTHUSIASM BUT POSITIVE THINKING IS ALSO VERY NECESSARY!!
I find it hard to overcome the little difficulties in life.,, after reading this, I realized that I can overcome all the obstacles as long as im keeping my faith and be positive,.. thanks to the mule
It is a really good story.
When it rains, every bird takes shelter, except eagle. It avoid rain simply by flying above the clouds. Problems are common to all, ATTITUDE makes the difference…
Very motivating story…. good
It is… so good…
Always face difficulties with courage & never give in, soon the difficulties will vanish. I liked the moral of the story. Thanks 4 posting the wonderfull stories.
Superub………
Very nice sir, superb i like it very much thank your very much for sharing . a big Applause ………..
What a mind blowing and life changing story! So inspiring.
This was very inspiring to me. Thank you so much for posting it.
What a smart story.
nice and inspiring story.
wow! a fantastic story…
It’s an excellent illustration which has to be applied in their daily life.
Inspiring
GOOD COLLECTIONS
I read this story many times. Every time it fills me energy and enthusiasm to face my difficulties
Really nice to read
Nice story
Thanks..really inspiring..
Good one.
Try to make your logo “be positive” for whatever you face.
Even those who are dear to u, or the people u are very close to turn their backs on God will give u courage to make success out of that predicament.
The 7th sense is supreme and practical.
Great story. I am sure it will change my life because am going through a difficult moment but I am gonna be positive, no panic and face it with courage. No giving up.
The farmer and mule story is most soul inspring! It gave me another look to life’s challenges and approach/attitude to it. Thank you Jehover God!
Nice Story.. I really love it!
My mother told me this story as a child. I am reminded of it every time I face adversity in my life (recently a severe attack of gout–very, very painful). The attitude of the old mule (as one old mule to another
), got me through it. I have learned these stories taught young in life live with you forever and can be your comfort and salvation when all seems lost.
Hey, love it! Thankz.
It is a really good story. This reminds us that whatever the situation you must be positive & this attitude gives you direction to change your difficulties into opportunities.
I am just tensed with my problems, looking for something that can motivate me and I found this. Great story.
Good one… very much inspirational. When we face difficulties in our life we give up, which we should not…we should face and fight with problem form the front….
A really inspirational story…
Reaalllyyy inspirational…. story….
Heart warming. Too bad there was no author listed.
Very inspiring!!!!
Hmmm…. with the dirt falling wouldn’t it just turn into mud with the water around the donkey? Then from mud become quick sand, that pretty much never allows him to shake it off once the mud is over his back. The story never says the well was empty with no water.
It is a very lovely tale. It encourages us to face the challange of life with optimistic faith in God through our lord Jesus Christ, and not to give up our possitive heart desire no matter what.
FUNNY yet quiet INSPIRING and TOUCHING..
Wow!
Nice for someone like me… thanks
Mind boggling and inspirational story especially for those who are easily discouraged….thanks for posting this parable..
Truely inspired ….
Ya too inspiring
It’s an awesome story.
Goooooooood one..
So inspiring story
Where there is a will there is a way……!
It was sheer grit, determination and the survival instinct that made the doneky to face the adversities with a cool and think positive attitude to have come out of the situation…….!
Whereas it also speaks of the selfish attitude on part of the farmer…one must keep cool under such circumstances like that of the donkey….
I like short interesting stories.
Highly inspiring
The story was motivational and I am glad that I read today as it will motivate me in my day to day difficulties.
Good
Positive thinking can lead you to the top of the world
nice!!!
Astoundlingly inspirational! It has been able to move me back to my feet and go on with my life positively. At a first glance its a very short story yet it can move everyone:))) Nice keep working with type of stories. Thank you.
Truly inspiring story… outstanding… to surmount successfully from gloom illustrates the power of positive thinking.
This is very inspiring story, need to implement in practical working life.
Thanks for the sharing good one
Very motivational & enthusiastic story…will help to keep pace with today’s diversified & competitive scenario
I GOT Energy from this story…thanks…
It was quite interesting. This types of inspiration is required in our day to day life. Get motivated and positive energy get in it.
Excellent & highly motivating.
At times I do fail to bounce back……indeed, this is an enriching one. Thanks.
I have learned a lot, thank you………..
At first, I was guessing what would happen. I was surprised how the mule got out the well. It really encouraged me so much… Those negative things that we experience will lead us to success, only if we know how to handle pressures in life. It’s also nice to remember that Jesus Christ once ride on a mule while people salute him.
A good story
Very nice.
I really like this story…. it really inspires me a lot….. thnx for updating this type of story…
This brief but exceptionally challenging story is a real bulldozer. It filled me with more strength & energy. From the time I read it I have purposed to make use of it in my sermons to motivate my people.
I think it is necessary for anyone having seen it to share it with others the same way, for it is a treasure.
It is awesome. Whenever I am in trouble I will remember this story.
Highly motivating. We all should learn to behave wisely like the mule as we all face problems in our daily life its upon us to be bitter or act sweet and be happy in the end.
As an adult we have a noble responsibility to be a role model for our youngers so we can teach them by acting positively so they can also learn to look in the eye of troubles rather then runnig away.
Nice Story. It will really help the readers to face the difficulties positively, one should always remember fighting with panic as the old mule did.
Amazing and outstanding.
Very, very persuasive!
Everyone must have the fighting spirit and the “Can do” attitude to survive in this world
Everyone needs to learn from this story… I like it.
It’s true it all depends on how we look at the situation.
Change your glasses and watch life in an other way. The difference between human is the diffrence in vision and this crucial difference can lift a person high above or make him as underdog. Thanks.
It gives a lot of motivation….
That’s a very common and a lot many times heard story BUT every time I read this I couldn’t help admire its simplicity and the Magnanimous Lesson it delivers to the readers….. thnx for sharing.
The story was so realistic and I like it the most ….thanks for sharing …
Thanks….realy learnd a lot from this story…….
And life would be simpler!
Now that everyone knows that’s how it is.
This is a motivating story
Before reading this story:
Q. To face difficulties……positively?
A. Impossible.
After reading this story:
Q. To face difficulties……negatively?
A. Possible.
Great story….
Good……..
Very nice story, thx for sharing it. Lovely.
Good one. Really inspiring when you are in blue.
Amazing story…!!
Very inspiring story!
Really inspiring!!! I hadn’t thought about it, it really helped me.
Really inspiring story……..