The mule was old and tired when he fell into the well. After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well were worth the trouble to remove him from the well. Instead he called his neighbors together and told them what had happened...and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery.

Initially, the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back, he should shake it off and step up! This he did blow after blow.

"Shake it off and step up...shake it off and step up...shake it off." No matter how painful the blows, or distressing the situation seemed the old mule just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP!  It was not long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped triumphantly over the wall of that well. What seemed like it would bury him, actually blessed him...all the manner in which he handled his adversity. That's life! If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness or self-pity, the adversities that come along to bury us usually have within them the potential to benefit and bless us!

- Author Unknown