One hot, sunny day a farmer's donkey fell down a deep, dark well.   For hours on end the poor donkey cried out in pain and distress as the aimless farmer tried to think of a way to get the donkey safely out.

Eventually he came to the conclusion that the poor donkey was really rather old and not worth saving in the grand scheme of things.  What is more, he also decided to use this sad turn of events to his advantage by covering over the well.

That decided, he invited all of his neighbors over to help him cover the well and put the aging donkey out of its misery.  Dutifully the other farmers dropped by the well, grabbed a shovel and slowly began to shovel dirt down into it and all over the donkey in the process.

Naturally, the donkey realized what was happening and cried out terribly in panic and despair.  Until, that is, he quickly quieted down - much to their amazement - and looked up at them almost knowingly.

A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well and was astonished at what he saw. With every shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would simply shake it off and take another step upwards.

As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the clever donkey, he happily continued to shake it off and take another step upwards and onwards. Before too long, the donkey had risen so high that he easily stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off as if nothing had happened.

Life is much like the donkey's predicament.  We're going to get a lot of shit shoveled over us from all manner of people and places, but the thing to keep in mind at such times is the story of the poor, old donkey.
That's right, simply shake it off and keep on going.  Difficulties and obstacles in life are nothing more than stepping stones. But we can and do get out of the deepest, darkest wells simply by not stopping, never giving up and taking another step onwards and upwards.

To help accomplish that try to remember the following five simple rules:

 1. Free your heart from hatred.
 2. Free your mind from worries.
 3. Live simply.
 4. Give more.
 5. Expect less.

P.S.   The donkey later came back and repeatedly kicked the farmer who had tried so hard to bury him.

Moral: When you try to cover your ass, it always comes back to bite you.