Bacolod City and its donkey

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor GUILLERMO TEJIDA III Desk Editor NANETTE L. GUADALQUIVER Busines Editor ERIC T. LORETIZO Sports Editor (On Leave) RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

An oft-repeated story often used by lecturers is that of the farmer, his son and their donkey. One day, the father and son left their farm to sell the donkey at the fair in town. The three of them, farmer, son and beast, walked along, the animal led with the rope. Along the way they passed a group of people who laughed and commented. "Look at those foolish farmers! They have a donkey but don't ride him".

Hearing that, the farmer told his son to climb on the back of the donkey, and they proceeded. They passed another cluster of men who jeered at them. "Look at them! The thoughtless boy is riding and making his old man walk when it is so hot." Hearing that, the shamed boy got off the donkey and asked his father to take his place. The farmer climbed up and settled himself on the donkey's back.

This went on for a while, until they passed another gathering of bystanders who shouted at the farmer, "Are you not ashamed to be riding so comfortably while your young son is sweating and panting?"

Hearing that, the farmer pulled his son up and both of them rode up to the town fair where an even bigger crowd noted and gathered around them, scolding them loudly for being cruel to animals, and burdening the donkey heartlessly. The poor donkey, frightened by all the loud voices, reared up and galloped away, unseating both father and son, who got injured in the fall.

The story of the farmer, his son and the donkey should remind Bacolod City officials of what could happen to their city center plan if they, too, will try to please everybody who has a comment to make, or has some interest of their own to promote. At this point, they need to unite, evaluate, and decide, because that was what the people had elected them to do. Otherwise, like the father and son, they might lose their donkey, and get bruises, too.*