In the distant years when there were no automobiles, the commonest means of land transportation were beasts of burden, usually a donkey. A man had one and had prepared to embark on a journey on it with his young son. They embarked on the journey. The father, being much elderly rode on the donkey while his young son trekked behind. They made appreciable progress in no time and they enjoyed the company of each other until they ran into busy-bodies who, one would have assumed to be child rights activists. They blamed the elderly father for riding on the donkey while he allowed his young son to travel on foot. "You are much elderly," they said, "so you should allow him ride on the donkey while you walk." The father thanked them for their observation and did as they had advised.
They continued on the journey in this manner until they yet met an interloper who wondered why the younger would have a ride at the expense of the older. "Old man, you're nearer to your grave than you think. In fact, what you're doing at the moment will hasten your journey to the grave. Why wear out easily because of fatigue? Can't the two of you enjoy your ride on the back of the donkey?" What an eye-opener! The father bought into it. It didn't occur to him at the commencement of the journey. Quickly, he hopped on the donkey behind his son and continued with their journey. This afforded father and son the opportunity to discuss intimately. For once he was grateful he heeded the advice. The sun was mild so, they both enjoyed the journey. The donkey didn't appear tired, neither did it complain until they were accosted by a supposed animal rights activist. What an encounter. This lousy lout rebuked the father sharply and didn't spare the son either. "Two hefty human beings on a helpless donkey. Oh, heavens! Cruel beings! Wicked souls! Shameless fellows! You want to kill this donkey? What a barbaric act! Obviously, he was wailing than the bereaved. To please this lout, the two of them disembarked and journeyed on their feet while the donkey hopped along.
They were enduring the process when they met one fastidious fellow again. He is appalled to see father and son walking on their feet while the donkey went free. "This is sheer gullibility, sir! It is either you are under a spell or suffering from some kind of mental retardation! How would you allow a healthy donkey hop behind you while you and your son are travelling on foot. Sincerely, it's your son I pity, not you," he said.
The man was at a loss of what to do. "What shall we do again?" the confused son asked his beleaguered father. "What shall we do, my son? We are going to stop trying to please these people and go about our journey the way we had planned it. Enough of these people pleasing acts. If not, we will soon be diagnosed of people pleasing disease (PPD).
Inspired by Ebenezer Obey's lyricism in one of his master pieces, The horse, the man and his son.
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