Instead of a thought for the day, here's a story for the day :

Nasreddine's Son

Nasreddine Hodja's son was thirteen years old and had a very low opinion of his personal appearance. In fact, he thought he was ugly and had such a complex that he refused to leave the house. He said over and over again, " People will make fun of me! ". His father always answered him that he shouldn't worry about what people had to say because they will often criticise, no matter what you do, but his son didn't want to believe him.

Nasreddine said to his son, "In that case, you'll come with me to the martketplace tomorrow."

Early the next morning, they left the house together, Nasreddine Hodja riding the donkey and his son walking along beside him.

Some men were sitting at the entrance to the marketplace, talking. When they saw Nasreddine and his son, they said, "Look at that man, he has no compassion! There he is, at ease riding his donkey and he lets his poor son walk. Yet he has already enjoyed life for a long time; you'd think that he'd let his son ride the donkey for a change!" Nasreddine said to his son, "Did you hear that? You'll come to the martketplace with me again tomorrow!"

The second day, Nasreddine and his son did the opposite of what they had done the previous day : the son rode the donkey and Nasreddine walked along beside him. The same men were sitting at the entrance to the marketplace. When they saw Nasreddine and his son, they said, "Look at that child, he's rude and very badly educated! There he is, riding along on the donkey and his poor old father is obliged to walk!" Nasreddine said to his son, "Did you hear that? You'll come to the martketplace with me again tomorrow!"

The third day, Nasreddine Hodja and his son left the house walking, leading the donkey behind them. The men at the marketplace entrance laughed at them, "Look at those two idiots, they have a donkey and they're not even using it. There they are, walking, too stupid to realise that donkeys are made for riding!" Nasreddine said to his son, "Did you hear that? You'll come to the martketplace with me again tomorrow!"

The fourth day, Nasreddine and his son left the house both mounted on the donkey. At the marketplace entrance, the men didn't hesitate to show their indignation, "Look at those two both riding that poor donkey! Have they no pity for that poor beast?" Nasreddine said to his son, "Did you hear that? You'll come to the martketplace with me again tomorrow!"

On the fifth day, Nasreddine and his son arrived at the marketplace carrying the donkey on their shoulders. The men laughed at them, saying, " Just look at those two fools ; they should be locked away. The very idea, carrying a donkey when they ought to be riding it!"

And Nasreddine Hodja said to his son, "Did you hear that? Whatever you do in life, people will always find something to criticise, so you shouldn't worry about what they say!