"I wish I could tell what to do," said the father, rubbing his chin. "Come on, son. The thing to do is ride with me. Get up."

But then they passed a man sitting on a chair on the back porch. His wife came out.

"What a shame!" she cried. "How much can that poor mule stand? The man and his son are too much of a load"

"Now what should we do, Father?" asked the son.

"Let us chop down a branch from that tree," said the father.

They cut down a long pole. Then they tied the mule‘s feet to the pole with a chain. They lifted the mule and went on to town. Now all the men rushed out to see the foolish father and his son.

As the father and son passed over a river, the mule shook free, fell into the water, and drowned.

"There!" cried the men. "That will teach you not to be so foolish."

Adapted from, Intermediate English Skills Development Series Book 3, 3B Recalling Details