The Load We Refuse to Share

 

There once was a humble muleteer who set out on a long journey through winding trails and uneven terrain, leading two companions: a strong mule and a gentle, hard-working donkey. Both animals were laden with heavy sacks—supplies, provisions, and the daily burdens of travel.

For a while, the journey was kind. The path was flat, the sun forgiving, and the donkey bore his load quietly. He was not as strong as the mule, but he was determined and diligent. Yet, when the road began to climb, steep and unrelenting, the donkey’s steps grew slower. His legs wobbled beneath the weight, and his breath came in shorter gasps.

Looking to his companion, the mule walking beside him, the donkey spoke in a soft, weary voice:

"Please, can you carry just a little of my load? A single sack—just enough to help me reach the next bend. I can manage the rest."

But the mule, proud and indifferent, looked ahead without reply. He saw only his own burden and the long path left to walk. "It’s not my problem," he thought.

Moments later, with one final step, the donkey collapsed. His knees buckled, his body gave way—and he lay still.

The muleteer rushed to the fallen animal, heart heavy with sadness. But in the middle of a remote mountain trail, with no help in sight, he had no choice. He shifted the donkey’s entire load onto the mule’s back—every sack, every ounce of weight. And after a moment of silence, he also laid atop it all the donkey’s hide, taken as a final act of necessity.

Now the mule stood there, bent low beneath the unbearable burden—his own load, the donkey’s load, and the weight of what once was a living companion.

With each labored step, he muttered to himself:

"If only I had helped a little… If I had shared a small part of his struggle, I wouldn’t now be carrying all of it—and more."

Reflection:

In life, it’s easy to look away from someone else’s pain. We tell ourselves we’re too busy, too tired, or it’s simply not our responsibility. But what we refuse to carry with compassion may return to us in heavier, more painful forms. A small kindness today can prevent a much greater sorrow tomorrow.

Let us be the kind of people who make the road lighter for those walking beside us—even if it’s just one small burden at a time.

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Out Of The Box July 31, 2025