The Miller, the son and the Donkey

When I started blogging, I took inspiration from stories my children had me read them of a night. It fell away a bit when they discovered Dr Seuss, as I struggled with connecting "Green Eggs and ham" and the "cat in the hat" to what I do.

That said, I was swayed by a fable that turned up on the TV the other day. I hadn't heard it before, this was one of old Aesop's fables called "The Miller, the Son and the Donkey" and it goes a little something like this.....


"I shall have to sell that donkey of ours," said a miller to his son. "I can not afford to keep him through the winter. I will take him to town this very morning to see if I can find a buyer. You may go with me." In a little while the miller, his son, and the donkey were on their way to town.

They had not gone far when they met some girls going to a party. They were talking and laughing as they went along. One of them said, "Look at that man and boy driving a donkey. One of them surely might ride."

The miller heard what they said, and quickly made his son mount the donkey, while he walked along at its side.

After a while they came to a group of old men who were talking very earnestly. "There," said one, "I was just saying that boys and girls have no respect for the aged. You see it is true in this case. See that boy riding while his old father has to walk."

"Get down, my son," said his father, "and I will ride." So they went on.

They next met some women coming from town. "Why!" they cried, "your poor little boy is nearly tired out. How can you ride and make him walk?" So the miller made his son ride on the donkey behind him.

They were now in town. A man coming down the street called to the miller, "Why do you make your donkey carry such a load? You can carry him better than he can carry you."

At this the miller and his son got off the donkey. They tied the donkey's legs together, turned him over on his back; and began to carry him.

A crowd soon gathered to see the strange sight. As they were crossing a bridge the donkey became frightened at the hooting of the crowd. He broke loose, fell into the river, and was drowned.

The miller was angry and ashamed. He said, "There! I have tried to please everybody and have only made a fool of myself. After this I shall do as I think best and let people say what they will."

Well Derrrrr.

But it is amazing in this business of ours (Recruitment) there are so many formula's, tools, techniques and methodologies for one to try. I know I'm guilty of trying and adjusting things at other people's suggesting. You never know what is going to work. To Tweet or not to Tweet? That is the question!

You need to try things, granted, you need to research and listen to the world and its suggestions, however, you need to find your own way, what works for you, and then work it through and bring yourself to owning it. Believe in yourself and your experience and what you know.