Once there was an old farmer, with a horse which was almost as old as himself. He set out one morning with his son to sell the horse before it died. Father and son walked because the farmer did not want the horse to be too tired. They met two men on the road who said, "Why are you walking, farmer? It's a long way to the market. You should ride on it." The farmer knew that this was true, so he rode on the horse while his son walked. Then they met two old women, "What are you doing up there, farmer? Can't you see how tired the boy is?" So the farmer got down and his son rode inside instead. Next, three old men stopped them, one said, "Why are you walking, farmer? Get up. It's too hot for an old man like you to walk today." So the farmer got up behind his son and they rode on. Some time later, a young woman passed them, "Why aren't you walking?" She asked, "It isn't far to the market. Give your poor horse a rest." So the farmer and his son got down once again. It is a fact that you cannot please all the people all the time.
