The Ass and His Shadow

Once upon a really, really hot day, a guy wanted to go on a big trip. So, he rented an Ass from another guy who seemed super-smart about all things Ass.

"Wowza, it's like a giant oven out here!" said the traveler, fanning himself like he was trying to fly. "I'm so hot I could fry an egg on my head!"

The sun was doing its best impression of a big, yellow, super-hot beach ball in the sky. So halfway through his big adventure, the traveler was super tired and as red as a cherry. Then he saw it—the Shadow of the Ass. It looked as cozy as a super cool pillow fort. "Ah-ha, a VIP spot just for me! Very Important Pillow-fort!"

So, he plopped down, happy as a clam. But then, uh-oh! Here comes Mr. Ass Owner, who looked really mad. "Hey! You're sitting in my Shadow! No fair!"

"What? No way!" said the traveler. "I rented your Ass, which totally means I get the Shadow too!"

"Uh-uh! The Shadow is like a special bonus level. That's extra!"

And just like that, the two started to argue and argue. "It's mine!" "No, it's mine!" "You're silly!" "You're sillier!" They even started to wrestle, like they were both trying to be the champion of a tickle fight.

Now, you might think the Ass would say, "Hey, what's going on here?" But nope, the Ass was way too clever for that. He saw the two silly men busy with their own silliness and thought, "Time to run like the wind!"

And whoosh! Off he went, leaving the two men in a poof of dust and giggles. They looked at each other and then at the empty road where their ride had dashed off.

So, they both lost more than just the Shadow. They lost their Ass, and kinda looked silly too. But hey, that's what happens when you argue over silly stuff.

Mr. Traveler had plans one day,
To go afar, he couldn't stay.
He found Mr. Owner, said, "May I please,
Rent your Ass for my journey with ease?"

With Ass in tow, they took their stand,
Embarking on a trip so grand.
The sun climbed high, a fiery dance,
A sizzling day, not left to chance.

Soon enough, the heat did weigh,
On Mr. Traveler, "Shade, hooray!"
He sat beneath the Ass's shade,
Thinking that his plans well-made.

But Mr. Owner raised a brow,
"That Shadow's mine, I'll tell you now!
You rented Ass, but not his shade,
That spot is mine, where I've oft laid!"

Mr. Traveler shook his head,
"I rented all of Ass," he said.
"The Shadow, too, belongs to me,
For I paid for Ass, as you can see."

And so began a quarrel loud,
Each man in his own belief was shrouded.
They bickered with no end in sight,
Unyielding in their fervent fight.

But while they fussed and while they fray,
The Ass thought it the time to stray.
He seized the chance and trotted free,
Left them both in hot decree.

They lost the Ass, the shade, the way,
A lesson learned, is what we say.
Sometimes it's best to compromise,
Or else you're in for a big surprise!