The Foolish Sailor

          Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there was a foolish sailor.  He owned an ugly horse who was very small, and had several bald patches.  The sailor also had a son, who was very young, and did everything his father told him.  The sailor decided to sell his horse in town for money for the winter.  But on their journey, they met several judgmental people throughout the country. 
         On their way, hardly an hour into their trek, they passed a group of six girls going to a party.
         "Look at those fools," one of them hissed, "Neither of them are even riding that horse!"  The girls snickered and walked away.
         The sailor instructed Finn (who was his son) to get up on the horse.  The horse grumbled under the extra weight of the boy.
         Later, they passed a group of Elderly United members who said, "Look at that rude young man, making his father walk while he rides that grumpy-looking horse!  Children have no respect for their elders."
        "Here, let me ride the horse," said the sailor.  
        A few hours later, they passed a group of women coming out of a weight watchers building.
        "Look!" gasped one of them.  "That poor boy is tired, yet his father is  making him walk!"
        So the boy was put back onto the horse.
        A little while later, they passed a man who said, "Why do you wear your horse out like that?  You could carry him as easily as he can carry you."
        So the sailor tied the horse's legs to a pole and he and his obedient son carried the horse.
        A crowd began to gather as they crossed a bridge.  But the hooting of the crowd spooked the horse, and made him jump around, and all three fell off of the bridge.  They spluttered around and almost drowned.   The sailor was ashamed and angry because he had been so foolish.
        If you try to please everyone, you won't please anyone.