This triggered in me a memory of one of the
earliest tales I read when I was a girl. I read it in Hebrew for school. It
was called "In order to find acceptance in the eyes of everyone." I like the English title better, it is simply named, "In order to please everyone.”
A father and son and a donkey start
off on a journey together. They are heading out to market. It is a beautiful
day. The father and son walked side by side next to their mule. On the road, they pass some travelers. The group of men start laughing at them.
“Look at those fools walking next to perfectly good mule
when one of them could be riding! What dolts!”
So, the father looks at the son and kindly picks him up and
puts him on the back of the mule. They go along happily for a few more miles until they meet another group of older people on the road. The older people stare at them
and shake their heads.
“What a pity!” one
says. “Such a shame to see how disrespectful young people are these days. A
fine healthy boy riding a donkey while his old father has to creep along. How
disgusting!”
Well, the young boy loves his father. He does not want to be
disrespectful. So, he jumps down and immediately make his father ride. They go
a few more miles like this enjoying the day talking about what they wish to buy
at market when they run into another group of people. These people frown at
them as they go by.
One person says in a not too quiet voice, “Look at that big
fat man riding the donkey while his little, skinny child has to walk in the
dust and dirt. The child will perish and the fat man will go on not caring.”
Well, the father loves his son. He loves him to pieces. So, he
pulls him up in front of him. (He does not get down himself because that would give others cause to say something bad about his son again). Now both are riding. Ahh! Now
things are good. Everyone is riding and comfy. The father and son are both happy. Proudly, they ride by the next group, heads up.
“Look at those oafs riding that poor mule to death!” a person
in the group cries as she passes. “They are being so cruel to that animal! They are both
healthy! Why should they torture that scrawny beast to death with their tonnage!”
So, now the father and son both get down and scratch
their heads. Well, they can’t walk beside or ride on the beast. How will they get to market? So, the little
son makes the final suggestion that will please everyone. They pick up the mule
and carry her kicking and braying on their backs to the market. When they get there they are all terribly uncomfortable and sad.
So, what does this mean for me as an author? I enjoy the
praise, then read the criticism with a grain
of salt. I try and see if any of it is valid, and if there is something I can do
about it without changing everything and without destroying the integrity of
the story I wrote. Usually, except where grammar is concerned, the answer is no, so I continue writing something else. (Also, I read the great reviews a few times to inspire me to go on, if I need it. I also read a valid bad one to keep me on my toes. Then I forget them and keep on writing.)
Reviews are great
when they are great, but they are opinions and everyone’s is different. It
would be nice if we could make the whole world smile, be happy, and whole, but
the truth is we cannot. We are lucky if a few people truly understand us and
connect with us in this life, and it is for them that I write. So, thanks for the great reviews!
