The Boy & The Donkey

There once was a farmer's boy who lived on a farm not too far from the city. One weekend, on his way home after selling his crop, he found an old donkey limping on the side of the road. Its coat was patchy, its leg was injured, and it had no life in its steps.

Seeing the donkey in need, he offered the donkey some water. Knowing that the donkey would likely die if he abandoned it, the boy pleaded with his father to allow him to bring the donkey home and care for it. He told his father he would take full responsibility. He would gladly feed him, clean up after him, and train him on top of all his other chores. Seeing how much it meant for the boy, the father reluctantly agreed.

When he got home, the other farmers in the area heard of the injured donkey and came by to see it for themselves. The farmers took one look at the donkey and told him to let the donkey go. "It's old. It can't walk. It can't carry anything. It's not worth your time." But the boy disagreed. While the donkey may not have been worth anyone else's time, the boy was sure it was worth his.

From then on, every morning before school, the boy brought the donkey water and food, took him for a stroll, and slowly brought life back into its steps. As seasons passed, the donkey got healthier. It couldn't run as fast as the other horses in the fields, but it became strong enough to begin helping around the farm.

One year, during the rainy season, the downpour was heavier than usual. The rain didn't stop. Many of the farmers who worked in the rain to protect their crops got sick, and the path into the city turned to mud. The farmers who could make it into town got their carts stuck on the side of the road.

When the boy saw the other farmers in need, he got on his donkey to bring food, firewood, and medicine across the hills to the other farmers. The same donkey that the other farmers had told the boy to leave behind became the very reason they made it through the season.

When the storm passed, the other farmers came by to give their thanks. One farmer humbly asked the boy, "What did you see in the donkey?" The boy just smiled and replied, “I didn’t want to give up on what still had strength.”

Sometimes in your life, not everyone will see what you see. The potential you see in an idea, a dream, or even yourself may seem unrealistic or foolish to others. But that doesn't make it impossible or untrue. It just makes it your responsibility to bring it to life. When you have a dream others don't believe in, know that it is your vision to carry, not anyone else's. Don't wait for the world to agree. Go first.