A hungry donkey enters a barn in search of hay. He discovers two identical haystacks, each on the opposite side of the barn. The donkey stands in the middle of the barn between the two piles of hay, not knowing which one to choose.

He can’t make up his mind and starves to death. This is similar to a Japanese proverb which says, “He who chases two hares will catch none”.

The moral of the story is: not deciding has consequences, and options can be a blessing as well as a curse.

Had the donkey found only one haystack inside the barn, there would have been no decision to make, and he wouldn’t have starved to death. But life is not that simple. Sometimes it’s very difficult to make a decision.

 

A girl cannot decide between two lovers.

A young man cannot decide between staying at home country and immigrating to Australia.

More examples?

 

P.S. In Farsi and Arabic this person is called: مذبذب

P.S.2. This short parable comes from the French philosopher Jean Buridan.

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Comment by nidα on March 20, 2013 at 21:11

So true!

There's a proverb that I don't remember exactly, but it goes something like: "one who sails in two boats simultaneously would never reach their destination."

Often, decision making is really critical in one's life. Could be even life saving sometimes. 

Thank you for your thought-provoking blog, Faraz!

Comment by sewar on March 20, 2013 at 10:28

      Hi my friend Faraz, what perfect timing for this story. Actually, these days I am between two things, and tell thes moment I haven't make up my decision yet. Anyway, this is one of our life's disputes. My friend, I don't know why sometimes we feel thinkless when we have to choose between two things, maybe because we like both of them, or maybe we afraid to take a responsibility of our choices. Yes, sometimes we look like this donkey.

    My friend, you want some examples, let me try:

1- Someone cannot decide between two specializations at the university.

2- Someone cannot decide between two types of schools, Arabic one or English one, which better for his children.

3- A woman cannot decide between two dresses for her date.

4- Someone cannot decide between two expert doctors, which one makes the operation for him.

5- Someone has only $10, he cannot decide to whome he should by the gift, to his mother or to his wife, mother's day and his anniversary at the same day.  

        Finally my friend, our life is full of such a confusing situations. God bless you. 


Mod
Comment by Anele on March 20, 2013 at 9:53

Absolutely right.....  Most often than not, greediness invades the inner thought of a man when he has more than what he needs.  

Dear Faras.......your blog reminds me of Proverbs 30: 7-9

7 "I ask two things from you, Lord. Don't refuse me before I die. 8 Keep me from lying and being dishonest. And don't make me either rich or poor; just give me enough food for each day. 9 If I have too much, I might reject you and say, 'I don't know the Lord.' If I am poor, I might steal and disgrace the name of my God.

Thanks for sharing it with us!

Comment by ⊱ Mickey ⊰ on March 20, 2013 at 7:56

I read this lil parable since i was a kid.  I liked it.

There are so many similar situations in our real life!

[now i am thinking i should eat rice for dinner or noodles]

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