DISCLAIMER: This came to me from a friend. It was in my inbox the other day. I characterize things such as this as “stuff” that circulates around the internet. Obviously it’s an old joke I guess. I AM NOT claiming original credit as the author of it, but merely publishing the allegory for it’s humor and it’s undeniable truth too! Enjoy!
An old prospector shuffled into town leading an old tired mule. The old man headed straight for the only saloon to clear his parched throat. He walked up and tied his old mule to the hitch rail. As he stood there, brushing some of the dust from his face and clothes, a young gunslinger stepped out of the saloon with a gun in one hand and a bottle of whiskey in the other.
The young gunslinger looked at the old man and laughed, saying, “Hey old man, have you ever danced?” The old man looked up at the gunslinger and said, “No, I never did dance… never really wanted to.”
A crowd had gathered as the gunslinger grinned and said, “Well, you old fool, you’re gonna dance now,” and started shooting at the old man’s feet.
The old prospector –not wanting to get a toe blown off– started hopping around like a flea on a hot skillet. Everybody was laughing, fit to be tied.
When his last bullet had been fired, the young gunslinger, still laughing, holstered his gun and turned around to go back into the saloon. The old man turned to his pack mule, pulled out a double-barreled shotgun, and cocked both hammers.
The loud clicks carried clearly through the desert air. The crowd stopped laughing immediately. The young gunslinger heard the sounds too, and he turned around very slowly. The silence was almost deafening.
The crowd watched as the young gunman stared at the old timer and the large gaping holes of those twin barrels. The barrels of the shotgun never wavered in the old man’s hands, as he quietly said, “Son, have you ever licked a mule’s ass?”
The gunslinger swallowed hard and said, “No sir….. but… I’ve always wanted to.”
The allegory continued on with:
There are a few lessons for us all here.
Never be arrogant.
Don’t waste ammunition.
Whiskey makes you think you’re smarter than you are.
Always, always make sure you know who has the power.
Don’t mess with old men, they didn’t get old by being stupid.
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Wise words for sure. Isn’t it always true there is some truth to every tale or joke? Old men didn’t get old from being stupid. To me this story represents two very accurate and appropriate axioms – “Don’t judge a book by it’s cover” and “Don’t mess with folks ya do not know.”
Good advice for all of us to keep in the forefronts of our minds. So have a laugh and know that for every word that was a joke, there is more truth behind the laughter than you know. Never underestimate an old feller. For every ounce of vim and vigor I have lost to the years, if I knew then what I know now, woe be upon all who’d cross my path with that cocky and arrogant self-assurance that I am not young enough to impress them anymore. If they only knew.
Respect your elders for good reason. They know more than youngsters, despite the commonly held arrogance that youth imparts. Love to all and I hope I gave ya a chuckle!
