Juha is a warm-hearted, quick-witted man from Arab folk tradition, and grandparents across the Arab world have told his stories for generations. Each tale is simple on the surface but carries real wisdom underneath. This is one of his most famous stories, and it teaches children that it is impossible to please everyone, and that a wise person follows what is right rather than every passing opinion.

One sunny morning, Juha decided to take his small son to the market in the next village to sell some vegetables. They loaded their gentle donkey with baskets of produce. Juha walked alongside, holding the reins, while his son rode happily on the donkey's back.

They had not gone far when they passed a group of villagers sitting under a tree. One of them looked at the riding boy and the walking father and called out loudly, 'Look at that boy, riding comfortably while his old father walks tired in the heat! What poor manners.'

The boy felt embarrassed and quickly climbed down, insisting his father ride instead. Juha mounted the donkey while the boy walked beside him. But they had barely gone further when they passed women washing clothes by the stream, and one of them said, 'How strange — a strong man rides while his little son walks on tired feet! He has no mercy in his heart.'

Juha thought quietly for a moment, then invited his son to climb up behind him. They rode together and continued on their way. Soon after, they passed a group of men by the well, who shook their heads and said, 'Poor little donkey, carrying a man and a boy on his thin back! Is that any kindness to an animal?'

Juha and his son got down at once and decided to walk together, letting the donkey trot along freely between them, resting. But before they reached the market, they passed yet another group who laughed and said, 'How odd — a man and his son walking in the sun while they own a donkey they refuse to ride! That makes no sense at all.'

At that, Juha stopped, turned to his son with a calm smile, and said, 'My dear son, today we tried every possible way to ride this donkey, and with every single way, someone found something to object to. Learn from this that pleasing everyone is a goal no one can ever reach. So do what your kind heart and wise mind tell you is right, and do not let every passerby's words change your path.'

The Lesson: You cannot please everyone — listen to others, but follow what your own mind and conscience know to be right.