One day, Nasreddin Hodja took his son to the market. There, he bought a donkey, and they started heading home. Nasreddin was pleased with the donkey he had bought and told his son that he could ride it home, while he would walk alongside them.

However, soon after, Nasreddin heard people talking about them. He slowed down, trying to make out what they were saying. “See, this is what I keep telling you about today’s youth! They have no respect for their elders. Look at that lazy son riding the donkey and making his poor old father walk,” someone remarked.

Upon hearing this, Nasreddin stopped and told his son to get off the donkey. He mounted it himself, hoping to address the concern, and instructed his son to walk beside the donkey. They resumed their journey home.

They hadn’t gone far before they overheard people talking again, “That poor young boy has to walk under the hot sun while his father rides the donkey proudly.” Nasreddin’s confusion grew. He told his son to also mount the donkey, hoping that this time, they would avoid negative comments. Now with both on the donkey, they continued their trip home.

But then, someone pointed at them and said loudly, “Look at that! What times are these? Look at those two; have they no mercy on the poor animal?” Upon hearing this, Nasreddin got off the donkey and told his son to do the same. Both of them walked alongside the donkey.

Later, they heard people talking about them again. “Look at these idiots. They have a donkey, and they are both walking next to it. Don’t they know that you can ride a donkey?” Nasreddin was perplexed.

“They might as well carry the donkey home!” someone laughed. At this point, Nasreddin realized the futility of what he was trying to do. He looked at his son and said to him, “Son, people will judge you no matter what you do. It is impossible to please everyone”