The Pony Parable

Once upon a time, a little girl had a pony. She was free to ride her pony when she wanted, even several times a day. Her friends were sometimes envious. They would say things like, "You're so lucky to have your own pony," or "I wish I were you and had my own pony." The little girl would smile and nod her head, because she knew while her friends meant what they said, they really wouldn't want her pony or to be her.

Her friends never saw the times her pony bit her when she was trying to feed the pony. They never saw the pony kick her when she was trying to brush the pony's tail. They never had to clean up the stall after the pony kicked over its water bucket and feed trough. And they certainly never had to clean up all the poop that pony could poop. The little girl knew if her friends knew all the work that went behind having your own pony, they would probably be thankful that they didn't have a pony after all.

Besides, the little girl often looked at her friends and wished she had a pet puppy like one of her friends, or a little sister like another friend, or a swimming pool like another friend. Sometimes she had to remind herself how lucky she was to have a pony instead of chewed shoes by a puppy, or stuff torn up by a little sister, or having to clean a swimming pool.

Moral of today's story: It's usually sweeter to shovel your own pony poop than that which belongs to your friend!

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Today's blessings: First Watch with Steve and Marilyn; morning napping; afternoon walk and Calendar Girls; dinner with Steve and Marilyn