The “Donkey In The Farmer’s Well” Parable
By Alex Mandossian on June 8, 2008
Okay, so maybe this isn’t an Aesop Fable, but I do hope you enjoy the message because it applies to Entrepreneurial CEOs under any economic conditions - upswings or downswings.
Visit www.TheDonkeyStory.com and feel free to pass it on to your friends, colleagues or even loved-ones.
The Morale: “Shake it off and take a step up…” :-)
One of the best inspiring and motivational stories I have read. I will share it with my friends.
The simplcity and value of this message makes
it useful in an uforgettable way = Empowering !
Thanks.
Pure Alex. Great story and so true ending. Thanks for all the motivation. Love your stories.
Hi Alex
Very Innovative…Sweet…
and always timely lessons…
I was weighting for you to say
“Good KARMA” :)
Thank you
Erik Valdman
You make me laugh Alex!
It has been a rather “blue start to a Monday” and I really needed to hear the sage wisdom from you about”shaking it off and taking a step up.”
Once again….your timing is impeccable and your teaching is inspirational.
Looking forward to virtual book tour starting tonight!
Thanks.
Elizabeth Harrington
This story was perfect for me to hear today. One of my friends had just called me to vent his frustrations about his manager who dropped the ball on a huge account and then proceeded to try and “cover her ass”. :)
Needless to say, this story brought a smile to his face and helped him put things in perspective.
Thanks.
Very cute Alex!
I love that you always infuse some good integrity based principles with proven marketing strategies!
I’ve heard the donkey story before but never with such great visuals!
Thanks for making me smile today!
Melanie Benson Strick
Million Dollar Lifestyle Business Coach
& Virtual Team Building Expert
http://www.successconnections.com/101ways
Very motivating. I love a good story, particularly one with a happy ending. And not just anyone can pull off motivation with a wrap up including a severe infection. Nice.
Love the stories-
Elaina McMillan
Hey Alex,
another great story, and an interesting twist.
Thanks!
For me the presentation shows the power of images over text.
Spoken word plus images = powerful.
Since it seems most people’s minds are visual text is almost always less strong.
Well done.
Hi Alex;
As always, the manner of your teaching style gets the point across directly and I find myself laughing my “ASS” off… which is not to say I’m trying to cover it.
:-)
Thanks again for what is always an inspirational encounter.
- Paul
This is an old story I have seen before but it’s always good to hear again. Since I work with people struggling to adopt children internationally, I find it a good reminder for them…to turn their troubles & adversities into a reminder that they are getting closer towards stepping out of that well(becoming parents!). Thanks.
The Adoption Coach
http://www.adoptionhighway.com
Alex,
Great interpretation of ancient wisdom. It’s worth sharing globally as we apply it locally!
Alex,
Great interpretation of ancient wisdom. It’s worth sharing globally as we apply it locally!
Janet of SE Arizona where mines dig big holes for many asses to fall into …
great story
This is a beautiful story and one I really appreciated hearing (and viewing) today! Sometimes it seems when I decide to take that next step up, the next shovelful of challenge feels heavier than before. So this is a great reminder that we can use it, dirt, dust and all, to leverage ourselves to that next level.
I’ll be posting a photo of a donkey next to my computer as a reminder to shake it off and take a step up. You’re the best!
Carolyn Ellis
http://www.thriveafterdivorce.com
Hey Alex,
We just wanted to say that we enjoyed creating this presentation with you and sharing the story.
It is a powerful reminder that doing something very simple can inspire, motivate and move others.
– Pat & Lorna
http://www.SpectacularPresentations.com
Hi Alex,
As always, you have taken a simple story…delivered it with brevity and simplicity, and as usual (wisdom.) We will send this to 5 of our closest friends who need to hear it! Thanks for motivating so many people, including us! We are in the Dominican Republic featuring a Resort that is in our Registry. You continue to be an inspiration!
Kim and Barry Brooke
http://www.truth2wealthwithgrn.com
Great story! Love the humor and the reality of the situation. Each scenario is only what we make off it.
Thanks Alex for the laugh and the enlightenment!
That was an especially nice video tale. Sweet and encouraging and wise. Thanks, Alex.
Hi Alex,
I liked the “happy stuff” and appreciated the reality of the story’s end. I will pass it on.
Another suggestion to “brush yourself off and take a step up” is to create a playlist on your iPod of your favorite music that you find to be inspiring of any genre and when you feel down, just press play and turn it around!
P.S. Thanks for the “Marathon” Virtual Book Tour session last night. No one over delivers like you!
Hi Alex,
The lesson of this story is so on target for me right now. The donkey stopped looking at the obstacle and focused on the goal ’til he acheived it. As far as the the lesson of the followup activity, that is so true. Your wisdom, content rich material and your concern for all of us is a breath of fresh air.
Carolyn K. Perry
Hi Alex,
Wonderful tips for getting out of the well!
Any tips to keep me from falling in, in the first place? Like maybe “Watch where you’re going, not where you’ve been”?
Keep ‘em coming!
Hi Alex,
So very charming and funny…and important lesson to keep in mind. Thank you for always giving so much value.
Diamond Dave Ayers
Wow, how true this is. In this life anxiety gets one nowhere, so why worries about the unknown since nothing really so terrible ever really happens.
Thanks so much
Oh sooooo true! We all have our days when we’re the donkey at the bottom of that well. Then something comes to us that makes us climb our way back up…
Great story and thanks for sharing.
Great truth in simple language. An interesting story that make the message all the more appropriate. There is a reason why these stories have stood the test of time!
Thanks Alex!
Hi Alex,
You did it again. I love the story and the analogy.
When I wrote my book (How to Take No For An Answer And Still Succeed) on overcoming failure and rejections, that was a major point I was making. Said another way, failing is not the problem, quitting is.
So, Alex, don’t quit! I love your material.
Best wishes,
Tom Justin
Alex
You’re one of those guys I’d love to meet in person someday.
I’m a user of Instant Teleseminar (bought it after listening in to your Teleclass on the subject). Very good stuff.
Anyway, I like this story and your narration of it.
Regards
Jacob Nordby
Chief Imagination Officer
http://www.Velma.com
Well I now hope they get reid of the tee spoons,and use a small frount end loader to move the durt. I tired of the hole.
I know just where to bite. on the gluets.
Maybe I have been to quiet. Make en pissed off so they hurry up.
I do think this may what happens to our polical leaders & govmerment agences. The Ammerica public is tired of politics messing with the economics.
There is a quoat, “When the tootless get rutooless”.
That was crazy, at first I thought that the guy wanted to kill the donkey by barring it, and I guess that donkey is not stupid after all. . . “Smart Donkey!!!”
The donkey parable is so memorable, I’ll never forget it!
This brings to mind another quote: “You lose ground when throwing dirt.”
Happiness is:
1. Something to do.
2. Someone to love.
3. Something to look forward to.
Love this life lesson! I know it only too well and it always feels soooo great to let things go and rise to the higher vibration.
But trying to get away with something…now that’s a vibe that will always bring a bite!
Forever the mentor Alex - you rock!
Sherri Nickols
Hey,Alex
Great inspirational video! When all seemed lost for the donkey. And realized what was happening as they tried to bury him. The donkey just shook the dirt off and took a step. We all can learn some thing from the donkey. It proves when you are stuck down in all a hole and all looks lost. Even when you think you have given it your all. You just shake it off and take a step up. And you will get out of the hole. Best laugh was in the end. When the donkey got out of the well, remembered to pay back the farmer. I laughed so hard, it took me a few minutes to stop so I could write this comment. I heard you give a mini seminar at Success University two weeks ago. It was excellent and informational, looking forward to learning more from you.
Thanks, Alex
Dennis Levy
Thanks, for that, very good, inspirational, and so so true,
Right ! i’m off to bite someones ASS……..
Thanks again, from Robert UK
Hi!
That reminds me of the 2 Mice in the milk bowl - heard in in the Film ‘Catch me if You Can’- But in this form it’s truly vivid and far more inspiring plus the end of the Tale/Whiplash for the Farmer, makes it in all a true parable -well worth passing on to my english speaking friends.
I’m in Germany so the pun gets lost in translation.
Bach Remedy Trainer in Germany
Patricia
Great story! Anybody reading these comments and didn’t read the story - go do it - great surprise ending. ;-)
funny how we seem conditioned to think the negative so often when it comes to the future when faced with adversity. . .
Stand up and be heard!
got lemons? mmmm…. lemonade…
Where did you get the story?
Loved the donkey story. Have posted it on a ‘wellbeing’ web forum, so you should get some more visitors.
Thanks Alex, inspiring as ever.
Carolyn
Absolutely loved the story - particularly the 5 Simple Rules for being Happy - so true! Thanks for sharing this in such a fun and lighthearted manner. The style of the message causes the viewers to sit up and listen without feeling lectured to - and we can all relate to the donkey at sometime or other as well as the farmer. Here’s to - shaking it off and taking a step!!! Thanks Alex.
Hi Alex,
This little story was delightfully ‘up’-lifting. Thank you for the message behind it as it has helped to ‘lift’ me out of the depression I’ve been in the last week.
Hi Alex,
We loved seeing this story at your TSS Alumni event that we came home and immediately put it on our blog too at http://www.thepowerlineblog.com. It is a great lesson. Even if you’re not a donkey lover like we are! We have Delialah and Baby Holly…their pics are on our blog too. They’re so sweet I just can’t imagine that farmer purposely burrying his lovely donkey. He got his just reward though! We learn so much from our animals! So much wisdom in their innocense!
Thanks Aex!
~Tracy ‘Power Gal’ Monteforte
This was a great story involving a great moral to it. Unfortunately, the donkey could have forgiven the farmer, but he was being what he was suppose to be, an ass. The idea of shaking it off and moving on upteaches a great lesson in perseverance or being persistant.
Hey Alex
This has to be one of my favourite stories. Sometimes we all feel like a bit of a donkey and we feel that dirt is being thrown at us.
The donkey turned his problem into his solution - because every solution lies within the problem. It’s all about where your mind is at.
As you know I’m a big believer that with the correct mindset you can succeed at anything.
I wish you continued success!
Nikhil Rughani
International Author and Speaker
Expert on the Success Mindset
http://www.SucceedWithSpeed.com