The mule fell into the farmer's well. The farmer heard the mule
 "braying"-or- whatever mules do when they fall into wells. After
 carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the
 mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth saving.

 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..a thought struck him. It suddenly dawned on
 him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back..HE WOULD
 SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP! Shake it off and step, shake it off and
 step up. No matter how painful the blows, or distressing the situation seemed 
the old mule fought "panic" and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND
 STEPPING UP.

 You're right! It wasn't 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 because of 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.

 Remember that FORGIVENESS-FAITH-PRAYER-PRAISE-and HOPE..all are
 excellent ways to "SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP" out of the wells in which
 we sometimes find ourselves.

Author Unknown