One day, Mullah and his son went on a journey. Mullah preferred to let his son ride the donkey while he walked. Along the way, they passed some travelers. “Look at that healthy young boy on the donkey! That’s today’s youth for you! They have no respect for their elders! He rides while his poor father walks!” The words made the lad feel very ashamed, and he insisted that his father ride while he walked.
So Mullah climbed on the donkey and the boy walked by his side. Soon they met another group. “Well, look at that! Poor little boy has to walk while his father rides the donkey,” they exclaimed. This time, Mullah climbed onto the donkey behind his son.
Soon they met another group, who said, “Look at that poor donkey! He has to carry the weight of two people.” Mullah then told his son, “The best thing is for both of us to walk. Then no one can complain.” So they continued their journey on foot.
Again they met some travelers. “Just look at those fools. Both of them are walking under this hot sun, and neither of them is riding the donkey!” In exasperation, Mullah lifted the donkey onto his shoulders and said, “Come on, if we don’t do this, it will be impossible to make people stop talking.”