You may remember the tale of the poor, frightened jenny who was sent aloft by idiots in Russia last year. It seems she had some peace in her final months, especially once they figured out she needed donkey company to be truly happy. She may be gone but we will not forget her - or the cretins who perpetrated the cruel and unpunished "prank". From the St Petersburg Times
http://www.times.spb.ru/index.php?action_id=2&story_id=33521
To balance this news, I have a story told to me by Sheila, which perfectly illustrates the inate sensible and intelligent nature of donkeys. It seems that in Switzerland there are (or were) donkeys who worked on the farms high up in the Alps. On Saturday, market day, they were loaded with all sorts of produce, cheeses etc. and sent on their own, down to the market square. They went to the same spot every week and shoppers would choose items to buy, putting the money in a container carried by the donkey.
When all was sold, the donkeys made their way back home, delivering the money to their humans, who trusted them to do the same highly competent job every week. Now this, to my mind, is an eminently sensible arrangement. Humans who treat their donkeys as trusted equals and family members and donkeys who play a pivotal role in running the farm finances. How civilized and how unusual.
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13 comments:
Dear Sheaffer,
While it is sad to read of Anopka's demise, it is reassuring that she had good care and a good life in her last months.
Now, as to the donkeys of Switzerland who take the wares to market, I would love to have one of those wonderful animals. I could send my woman on an "innocent" donkey ride; she would never know her fate until it was too late and she had been purchased! What is the going rate for a rather incompetent human these days?
Your fren FInn
Hmmm, not surprised at all that donkeys are more than capable of doing a highly important and responsible job...
What is surprising is that humans can trust other humans to pay for the items brought to market by the donkeys - miraculous :)
We are so sad to hear about Anopka's passing. May she rest in peace.
Those donkeys in Switzerland are very very smart. I wouldn't be able to get to the corner of my neighborhood and back with mom.
Your fren,
Sheaffer, thank you for sharing the story about the sweet donkey who finally got to live with people who took proper care of her.
Oh my - I would trust Rafer Johnson with my life's savings. I know he would do his job with integrity. Now... ah... Redford? It's not that I don't trust him, but truly, there is just no telling what he would do if given a pack full of products and a container that ended up full of money. I have a feeling he might end up making deposits to an offshore account somewhere or sending it to Jack, which would actually be okay b/c I'm sure Jack would give it to Shelia.
Wow.... nowadays you couldn't trust most PEOPLE to get produce to market... and get home again with all the loot. It sounds to me like those donkeys must have lived amongst a special breed of people. Imagine being able to trust each other like that.... sigh.... what a wonderful world it would be if everywhere was like that.
Finn my boy, you may be onto something. We could send them off to market on those obliging donkeys and even if the remuneration was scant, it would be well worth it. As to the going rate - I would expect less than $1.98 would be quite fair.
Calm, Forward, Straight - it does seem quite remarkable, doesn't it? Any segment of humanity that has figured out the inate intelligence and sense of fairness posessed by most donkeys must be a rare thing indeed. I would like to visit there and try my hand at commerce, but perhaps in one of the larger banking cities.
Buddy, Molly has volunteered to go with you should you decide to venture past the paddock gate. She has absolutely no sense of direction but does have an overdeveloped sense of adventure. Pack a lunch - you might not be back for awhile...
Billie, I just wonder, perhaps you should try a similar experiment with your two donkey boys. You know, buy them some small backpacks, load those with a few of your books and send them into town. The results might surprise (or possibly alarm) you. We eagerly await your report should you decide to pursue this merchandising project...
Vee, you know, that's exactly what I thought. What a civilized corner of the world, where donkeys and humans can cooperate with such success. It stands in sharp contrast to the Russian "experiment"...
We can get $1.98 for Ma? Sold!!
P.S. R.I.P. Anopka.. your last days were filled with love, hope and kindness we're sure!
dogma, I would move on this soon - humans tend to devalue quickly. Herself may be worth slightly less than a dollar at this point. I would like to note that in this country a dollar is also known as a loonie...I leave you to draw your own conclusions.
oh, Sheaffer.... you and Finn.... trying to sell off the loving little feminine hands that feed you! shame on you two...
But, really, it does lend itself to a pretty funny mental image doesn't it? strapped to the back of some sturdy little guy... bouncing along and complaining all the way down the hill...hahhahahah ..oh, sorry...that wasn't nice either.... hahhahah... can't help myself.... lol
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