The Ass And His Driver

The Ass And His Driver  (Adapted)

by Aesop

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     Once upon a time, there was a farmer.  He kept an ass to carry his baggage wherever he went.  One day, the farmer was walking beside his ass along a road to town.  The road was leading down the mountain side to the town..
     Suddenly, the ass refused to follow the direction of his master.  He chose his own path.   He wanted to jump over the edge of the nearest cliff to reach the place.  To him, it was the quickest way to reach the town.
     Just as he was about to leap over, his master caught its tail.  He tried to pull him back.  But the ass was too stubborn and strong to yield to its master.  He pulled with all his might.  Instead he pulled the farmer along. 
     The master was not able to pull him back.  In desperation, the farmer said, “Well…..go your way.  Your silly beast and see where it leads you to.” 
     Thus he let go of the ass.  The foolish Ass tumbled head over heels down the mountain side.

Those who refuse to listen to the good and wise advice of others are on the road to disaster.

Tell your own story about "The Ass and his driver".

Original version
An Ass was being driven along a road leading down the mountain side, when he suddenly took it into his silly head to choose his own path. He could see his stall at the foot of the mountain, and to him the quickest way down seemed to be over the edge of the nearest cliff. Just as he was about to leap over, his master caught him by the tail and tried to pull him back, but the stubborn Ass would not yield and pulled with all his might.
"Very well," said his master, "go your way, you willful beast, and see where it leads you."
With that he let go, and the foolish Ass tumbled head over heels down the mountain side.

Those who will not listen to reason but stubbornly go their own way against the friendly advice of those who are wiser than they, are on the road to misfortune.