Donkeys rock!

Once upon a time there lived an old mule. One fine day, this mule fell into a well. A farmer heard the mule praying or whatever it is that mules do when they fall into wells. After carefully considering the situation, the farmer decided that neither the mule nor the well were worth the trouble of saving.
So this farmer called some of his neighbours and decided that atleast the mule deserved a descent burial. So all of them hauled dirt and started dumping it into the well. Initially the mule was hysterical and brayed loudly and all over the place.
But the farmers wouldn't stop, bury they would. Then suddenly a thought struck the mule. As dirt landed on his back, he would shake it off and step up! This he did, blow after blow. " Shake it off, and step up! Shake it off, and step up!". He repeated this to himself so he would remember. And continued no matter how hard or painful it got. The old mule just kept right on.
It wasn't long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped triumphantly over the wall of the well! What seemed like would bury him actually gave him new life. And boy, was the mule grateful.
Not giving in to self pity, bitterness or panic is a good idea. Sometimes, being an adamant old mule rocks!