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Elohim created the donkey and told him: "You will work tirelessly from sun-up to sundown, carrying
heavy bags on your back. You will eat grass, you will have intelligence, and you will live for 50 years. You will be a Donkey."
The
donkey answered: "I'll be a donkey, but 50 years is too long. Please give me only 20 years."
Elohim complied.
Elohim created
the dog and told him: "You will look after Man's house. You will be his best friend and you will eat what ever he gives
you. You will live for 25 years and you will be a Dog."
The dog answered: "I'll be a dog, but
25 years is too long. Please give me only 10 years."
Elohim complied.
Elohim created the monkey
and told him: "You will jump from branch to branch. You will do silly things and be amuseing. You will live for
20 years and you will be a Monkey."
The monkey answered: "I'll be a monkey, but 20 years is too long.
Please give me only 10 years."
Elohim complied.
Finally Elohim created Man and told him: "You will
be Man, the only rational being on this earth. You will use your intelligence to control the animals;
you will dominate the world and you will live for 21 years."
And the Man answered: "Elohim, I will be Man, but living
21 years is not enough. Why not give me the 30 years that the donkey refused, the 15 years that the dog did not want,
and the 10 years given up by the monkey."
After some consideration, Elohim decided to grant man his request.
As
a result, Man today lives 21 years as a man. Then he marries and spends 30 years like a donkey, working and carrying heavy
loads. Then, when his children are grown and gone, he spends 15 years looking after his house and eating whatever is
given to him. Finally, when he has grown old, he retires and spends the next 10 years like a monkey, jumping from house
to house or from children to children, doing silly things to amuse the grandchildren.
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