From the album: Wall Photos
By James H Cook Jr
"JUST SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP ON UP"
Years ago in rural Georgia, there was a farmer who had a mule named Ol’ Clyde. One day Ol’ Clyde fell into a deep dry well and began to cry loudly. Hearing his mule cry, the farmer came over and assessed the situation. The well was deep and knowing that Ol’ Clyde had gained a lot of weight over the years and was heavy, the farmer knew it would be difficult, if not impossible, to lift the animal out.
Because Ol’ Clyde was also old as well as too heavy to lift--and the well was dry--the farmer decided to bury the animal in the well. This way, as folks had to be very practical in those days, the farmer could solve two problems: put the old mule out of his misery and have his well filled at the same time. He called upon his neighbors to help him and they agreed. And off to work they went. Shovel full of dirt after shovel full of dirt began to fall on the mule's back. Ol’ Clyde became hysterical!
Then all of a sudden, an idea came to the brute beast. Each time they would throw a shovel full of dirt on his back he would shake it off and step up. And that’s exactly what he did. Shovel full after shovel full, Ol’ Clyde would shake it off and step up on the new pile of dirt.
At last, exhausted and dirty, but quite alive, the mule stepped up and over the top of the well and walked through the crowd!
How about that for a dumb ol’ mule? But, hey, what a great attitude that would be for you and me. What a great way for us all to approach life. Think about it, the next time you’re in too deep to get out and some folks just keep piling on, “Just shake it off and step on up!”
Because Ol’ Clyde was also old as well as too heavy to lift--and the well was dry--the farmer decided to bury the animal in the well. This way, as folks had to be very practical in those days, the farmer could solve two problems: put the old mule out of his misery and have his well filled at the same time. He called upon his neighbors to help him and they agreed. And off to work they went. Shovel full of dirt after shovel full of dirt began to fall on the mule's back. Ol’ Clyde became hysterical!
Then all of a sudden, an idea came to the brute beast. Each time they would throw a shovel full of dirt on his back he would shake it off and step up. And that’s exactly what he did. Shovel full after shovel full, Ol’ Clyde would shake it off and step up on the new pile of dirt.
At last, exhausted and dirty, but quite alive, the mule stepped up and over the top of the well and walked through the crowd!
How about that for a dumb ol’ mule? But, hey, what a great attitude that would be for you and me. What a great way for us all to approach life. Think about it, the next time you’re in too deep to get out and some folks just keep piling on, “Just shake it off and step on up!”
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