The Ass and the Mule

Once upon a time, in a world that's kind of like ours but way more magical, there was a Man all packed up for a big trip. He had two buddies along for the ride: a Mule and an Ass. These guys were carrying so many bags, they looked like walking closets!

Off they went, traipsing through fields that seemed to go on forever and hills that were taller than a grown-up's tall tale! The sun was shining so bright, you'd think someone had turned up the "Daylight" dial to "Extra Toasty."

Now, Ass wasn’t what you'd call a super-strong animal. Imagine trying to walk with a backpack full of rocks! Poor Ass was sweating like he’d just run a race against a cheetah. "Hey, Mule, can you help me out a bit? Pretty please, with hay on top?" Ass said, sounding like he just blew up a really big balloon.

Mule, acting cool as a cucumber, just wiggles his ears as if to say, "Talk to the ear, 'cause the face ain't listenin'." He keeps on walking, like he’s got springs in his hooves or something.

So, Ass starts moving slower and slower. Imagine walking through peanut butter, only less tasty. He was so tired, he finally just flopped down like a pancake on Sunday morning.

The Man, kinda frustrated, had to step in. He takes all the bags from Ass and piles them onto Mule. And then—get this—he puts Ass's skin on top! It was like adding a backpack to a backpack on a backpack!

Now Mule is feeling the pinch, big time. He's groaning like he just ate too much cake at a birthday party. He thinks to himself, "Ohhh, if only I'd helped out Ass earlier. Now I've got double the bags and, ew, Ass's skin, too!"

And so, Mule learned that sometimes, sharing a little burden makes everyone’s journey easier. Because, after all, friends help each other through thick and thin, up and down, and even over really big hills!

Two friends had a mission, clear and true,
Man led the way, with Mule and Ass in crew.
Their goal was simple, or so it seemed,
To journey far, as if in a dream.

Fields so vast and hills so high,
Beneath the unforgiving sky.
The Ass felt weak, his legs did quiver,
Could keep the pace no more, not ever.

"Dear Mule," he panted, "would you share?
My load's too much, it's hard to bear!"
But Mule just shrugged, his ears a-twitch,
Continued on without a hitch.

The Ass grew weak, his steps so slow,
He fell, defeated, feeling low.
The man sighed, "Mule, it's up to you,"
He gave him bags, more than a few.

The Mule now groaned, his load was grand,
His steps grew heavy on the land.
Upon his back, the Ass's weight,
A lesson learned, but learned too late.

"If only," thought the Mule, so sad,
"I'd helped when things for Ass grew bad.
Now I bear his weight and mine,
A lesson learned, by crossing line."