A Fable

There was an old man, a boy, and a donkey. They were going to 
town and it was decided that the boy should ride. As they went 
along they passed some people who thought that it was a shame for 
the boy to ride and the old man to walk. The old man and boy decided 
that maybe the critics were right, so they changed positions.

Later, they passed some more people who thought that it was a real 
shame for that man to make such a small boy walk. The two decided 
that maybe they both should walk.

Soon they passed some more people who thought that it was stupid to 
walk when they had a donkey to ride. The man and the boy decided maybe 
the critics were right so, they decided that they both should ride. 

They soon passed other people who thought that it was a shame to put 
such a load on a poor little animal. The old man and the boy decided 
that maybe the critics were right, so they decided to carry the donkey.

As they crossed a bridge they lost their grip on the animal and he 
fell into the river and drowned.

The moral of the story: If you try to please everyone, you will 
eventually lose your ass.