One thought on “Things Are Heating Up”

  1. A peasant farmer is the habit of making baskets and selling them in the nearby town’s marketplace to generate some extra income.

    He’s decided that if he makes some extra baskets, leaves early so as to get a prime space in the market, he can make some extra cash to catch up on some bills and maybe have a bit left over for future emergencies. So he gets up early, secures the extra large load on his trusty donkey, and heads for town in the pre-dawn gloom.

    Well, the donkey is not happy. He knows he’s up too early. He’s not all that happy about the extra weight either. So after a bit he does what unhappy donkeys do. He sits down in the road and stares off into space. Well, the farmer is now not happy either. He sees the opportunity to get a prime space in the market slipping away while his donkey sits. So he starts pulling the donkey. He pushes the donkey. Pretty soon he also cursing the donkey. The donkey just sits.

    During the commotion, a priest has come along unnoticed by the farmer, or the donkey. The priest says, “My son, your donkey wants to please you. He’ll be happy to do what you ask. He just needs you to show him some kindness, some gentleness, and some respect.” The farmer, barely in control of his temper, snaps at the priest “Father, you are a man of God. I seriously doubt you know much about donkeys. But if you think you can get him moving, I’d be grateful for your help.”

    The priest looks around, picks up a piece of tree branch about as long and thick as a man’s arm, pushes up his sleeves, takes a two handed grip on the branch, and gives the donkey a solid overhand whack right between his ears. The priest then whispers in the donkey’s ear. The donkey shakes himself, stands up, and starts off in the direction of the market.

    The farmer starts laughing and says, “Thank you, Father! But what about the kindness, gentleness and respect?”

    The priest says “Ah, my son. First you must get their attention!”

    Perhaps the residents of that French town got the mayor’s attention, or perhaps not. Politicians sometimes have thicker heads than donkeys.

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