There was an old man, a boy, and a donkey.They were going to town and it was decided thatthe boy should ride. As they went along theypassed some people who thought that it was ashame for the boy to ride and the old man towalk. The old man and boy decided that maybethe critics were right, so they changed positions.

Later, they passed some more people who thoughtthat it was a real shame for that man to makesuch a small boy walk. The two decided that maybethey both should walk.

Soon they passed some more people who thoughtthat it was stupid to walk when they had a donkeyto ride. The man and the boy decided maybe thecritics were right so, they decided that theyboth should ride.

They soon passed other people who thought thatit was a shame to put such a load on a poor littleanimal. The old man and the boy decided thatmaybe the critics were right, so they decidedto carry the donkey.

As they crossed a bridge they lost their gripon the animal and he fell into the river anddrowned.

The moral of the story: If you try to pleaseeveryone, you will eventually lose your ass.