The Ass and His Purchaser

Once upon a time, in a land where animals could be sold and tested like 30-day free trials, a man thought, "Hey, why not get myself another Ass?"

So, off he went to meet Mr. Ass-Seller-Guy. The seller, being a modern kind of fellow, said, "Why not take him for a spin? You know, a test drive. See if he fits in with your other Asses."

With a nod and a wink, the man happily trotted the new Ass home. Now, the straw-yard was like the animal version of a school cafeteria. You could instantly tell who belonged to which clique.

Without missing a beat, the new Ass, with all the choices in front of him, decided to plop right next to the laziest, pie-gobbling, ‘I’ll-start-my-diet-tomorrow’ Ass.

The man, watching this, facepalmed. "Of all the Asses in my yard, he had to choose HIM?"

So, with a quick ‘I knew it’, the man slipped the halter on the new guy and began the walk of 'nope' back to the seller. The seller, looking as shocked as someone who's dropped their ice cream cone, said, "Back already?!"

The man, with a smirk, said, "Let's just say, show me an Ass's friend, and I'll show you the Ass."

There once was a man, so wise and so grand,
Who wanted an Ass from a distant land.
He spoke to the owner, a deal they did strike,
To try out the Ass, to see if he'd like.

Home went the man, with the Ass close behind,
Into the straw-yard, to see what he'd find.
The new Ass, quite quickly, made a choice of a friend,
The laziest, greediest, right to the end.

The man, with a sigh, knew just what to do,
Took the Ass back, as the wind gently blew.
"Why so soon?" asked the owner, a hint of surprise,
"How'd you decide, before the sun's rise?"

The man gave a chuckle, not missing a beat,
"No trial needed, the story's complete.
For by choosing a buddy, lazy to the core,
It showed me the Ass's true folklore."

In the land of creatures, as tales often say,
You're known by your friends in the light of the day.
Choose wisely and true, let your heart be the guide,
For friendships reflect who we are deep inside.