The Donkey's Wisdom: An Islamic Parable of Perseverance

A farmer's donkey, a deep well, and the unexpected path to freedom.

In a small village, lived a farmer who owned a donkey. One day, the donkey stumbled and fell into an old, deep well. The donkey cried out, its braying echoing through the village. The farmer, hearing the commotion, rushed to the well, peering down into its depths.

The farmer pondered the situation. The donkey was old, and the well was nearly dry and needed to be filled. He reasoned it wasn't worth the effort to rescue the animal. He gathered his neighbours and explained his decision. Together, they began to shovel dirt into the well, intending to bury the donkey.

At first, the donkey's cries grew louder as the dirt rained down upon it. But then, to everyone's astonishment, the braying ceased. The farmer peered into the well, curious about the sudden silence. He saw the donkey shaking off the dirt that landed on its back and then stepping onto the accumulating pile.

With each shovelful, the donkey repeated the process: shake off, step up. As the pile of dirt grew higher, so did the donkey. Finally, the donkey reached the top of the well, stepped out, and trotted away, leaving the farmer and his neighbours in stunned silence.

This story echoes a sentiment found in Islamic teachings, where trials and tribulations are seen as opportunities for growth and drawing closer to Allah. The underlying principle of perseverance and finding strength in adversity is a recurring theme in the Quran.

"And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and fruits, but give good tidings to the patient. Who, when disaster strikes them, say, 'Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.' Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the [rightly] guided."

(Quran, Surah al-Baqarah, Chapter 2, The Cow, Verse 155-157)

This verse highlights the importance of patience and resilience in the face of hardship, recognising that every challenge is a test and an opportunity to strengthen one's faith. The donkey's actions mirror this concept, demonstrating that even in the direst of circumstances, one can find a way to rise above adversity through perseverance and a positive attitude.