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Face Difficulties Positively

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

{ 174 comments… add one }
  • Abdihakim July 18, 2012, 3:59 pm

    I like short interesting stories.

  • Mikhan July 16, 2012, 6:07 am

    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….

  • Durga July 15, 2012, 12:23 pm

    So inspiring story

  • Shivangi July 6, 2012, 11:55 am

    Goooooooood one.. 🙂

  • Dharshan June 27, 2012, 12:20 pm

    It’s an awesome story.

  • Yash June 20, 2012, 10:25 pm

    Ya too inspiring

  • Keshav June 19, 2012, 5:16 am

    Truely inspired ….

  • BingDG June 19, 2012, 1:58 am

    Mind boggling and inspirational story especially for those who are easily discouraged….thanks for posting this parable..

  • Pankaj Bhardwaj June 8, 2012, 1:20 pm

    Nice for someone like me… thanks 🙂

  • Rheynn May 30, 2012, 10:43 pm

    FUNNY yet quiet INSPIRING and TOUCHING..

    Wow!

  • Marcus May 21, 2012, 5:00 am

    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.

  • Lillianne May 20, 2012, 6:40 am

    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.

  • Val Jiao May 17, 2012, 5:06 am

    Very inspiring!!!!

  • Cesar May 11, 2012, 10:41 pm

    Heart warming. Too bad there was no author listed.

  • Sangal B P May 6, 2012, 11:30 pm

    Reaalllyyy inspirational…. story….

  • Mohanty April 24, 2012, 12:33 am

    A really inspirational story…

  • Anjali April 19, 2012, 4:47 am

    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….

  • Swapnil Bhosale April 14, 2012, 11:54 am

    I am just tensed with my problems, looking for something that can motivate me and I found this. Great story.

  • Vojha March 25, 2012, 7:44 am

    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.

  • Nene March 11, 2012, 10:28 pm

    Hey, love it! Thankz.

  • PlantingSeeds March 9, 2012, 3:10 pm

    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.

  • Juliza Fae March 9, 2012, 2:16 am

    Nice Story.. I really love it!

  • MIKE OKENYI February 26, 2012, 2:14 pm

    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!

  • Timothy February 23, 2012, 6:39 am

    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.

  • Ogwo David Emenike February 20, 2012, 3:41 am

    The 7th sense is supreme and practical.

  • Segun Dada February 5, 2012, 10:56 am

    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.

  • Monmon January 31, 2012, 2:52 pm

    Try to make your logo “be positive” for whatever you face.

  • Grace Ityosaa January 30, 2012, 5:35 am

    Good one.

  • Prasad Jachak January 8, 2012, 11:57 am

    Thanks..really inspiring..

  • Pat January 2, 2012, 11:18 am

    Nice story

  • MEHAR December 6, 2011, 11:42 pm

    Really nice to read

  • Mallikarjun December 4, 2011, 11:12 pm

    I read this story many times. Every time it fills me energy and enthusiasm to face my difficulties

  • MUKESH SAINI December 3, 2011, 4:11 am

    GOOD COLLECTIONS

  • life December 1, 2011, 6:21 am

    Inspiring

  • Sudhakar Enjety November 22, 2011, 9:52 am

    It’s an excellent illustration which has to be applied in their daily life.

  • Amritha November 15, 2011, 12:32 am

    wow! a fantastic story…

  • Jasbir November 3, 2011, 12:51 am

    nice and inspiring story.

  • Richard Blanchard October 20, 2011, 2:19 pm

    What a smart story.

  • Shawn Peterson October 5, 2011, 5:56 pm

    This was very inspiring to me. Thank you so much for posting it.

  • Basorun Gbenga October 5, 2011, 6:57 am

    What a mind blowing and life changing story! So inspiring.

  • Thilagavathi October 3, 2011, 4:54 am

    Very nice sir, superb i like it very much thank your very much for sharing . a big Applause ………..

  • Jo September 19, 2011, 4:07 am

    Superub………

  • Sunil September 6, 2011, 1:29 pm

    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.

  • Sruthi August 19, 2011, 10:35 am

    It is… so good…

  • Indu August 8, 2011, 5:13 am

    Very motivating story…. good

  • Ashna Sambhar August 1, 2011, 5:03 pm

    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…

  • Tanmaya Guru August 1, 2011, 9:55 am

    It is a really good story.

  • mai July 26, 2011, 12:32 am

    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 🙂

  • Kevin Coutinho June 28, 2011, 6:58 pm

    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!!

  • Pawan Kumar June 28, 2011, 9:21 am

    I really appretiate this moral boosting story.. Superb…..!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Genesil a.k.a. TASIW June 28, 2011, 3:13 am

    Very soul-consoling!!!!!!

  • Ramakulai June 22, 2011, 1:05 pm

    Think a passitive way, when you are in trouble.

  • Jameel Shaikh May 23, 2011, 3:51 am

    Nice story

  • Ria April 20, 2011, 2:43 am

    This is so remarkable… I really like this one 🙂

  • Prim March 20, 2011, 10:54 am

    simply great!

  • manan February 19, 2011, 9:44 am

    whawww!!!!!!!!!! really mind blowing

  • yogesh February 12, 2011, 3:22 pm

    this story inspires me a lot.after reading this i learn to face difficulties positively

  • Prabhleen January 26, 2011, 7:27 am

    This story inspires people not to panic in bad times and face that problem bravely.

  • Naveen December 3, 2010, 10:27 am

    The story is exceptionaly good and conveys a for the hard working and inspired people. Gr888888888 one………

  • SONA December 3, 2010, 6:54 am

    Nice!!!

  • Sarah November 23, 2010, 10:37 am

    It has a lovely message.

  • Mithun October 26, 2010, 12:14 am

    Superb

  • Parimalam October 24, 2010, 9:21 am

    Excellent story.

  • Hemanth (indian) October 1, 2010, 1:30 am

    Listen to ur inner words don’t listen any one words……

  • Lidiya Varghese August 22, 2010, 12:24 pm

    Truly lovely and an inspiring one…..will share it with all my friends.

  • Dennis Tan July 20, 2010, 7:15 am

    Excellent!

  • Ashwin April 26, 2010, 12:25 pm

    lol………………the mule has something inside his head…………………..anyway it is a good story

  • VIGNESH March 8, 2010, 9:56 am

    EXCELLENT…its abt convertin all ur “-” to “+”

  • KIFLAY EMMAM February 4, 2010, 9:07 am

    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.

  • Uniayal T Krishan November 23, 2009, 1:51 am

    A most inspiring story to win over the tough situation in life.

  • Priyanka.g October 1, 2009, 7:18 am

    Wow! Fantastic, marvelous, superb…

  • Jane September 12, 2009, 11:05 pm

    Great motivating story…

    Thanks..

  • Satender September 12, 2009, 5:04 am

    Excellent & highly motivating.

  • Imole Joseph April 25, 2009, 6:43 pm

    Really inspiring!

  • Ashley April 20, 2009, 10:17 am

    The story is really good i like it alot

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