There were an old man, a boy and a donkey. They were going to town and it was decided that the boy should ride. As they went along, they passed some people who thought that it was a shame that the boy rode while the old man walked. The man and boy agreed that maybe the critics were right so they changed positions.

Later, they passed some others who thought that it was a real shame that the old man made such a small boy walk. Hearing this, the two decided they both should walk.

Soon they passed more people who said that it was stupid to walk when they had a donkey to ride. The man and the boy thought maybe these critics were right so they arranged that they both should ride.

Inevitably, they passed other people who declared it was a shame to put such a load on a poor little animal. The old man and the boy decided that maybe the critics were right. Now they would carry the donkey.

As they crossed a bridge, the old man and the boy lost their grip on the animal and it fell into the river and drowned.

The moral of the story . . . if you try to please everyone, you will eventually lose your ass.