One bright morning, the king decided he wished to go fishing with the queen. Before leaving, he summoned his royal meteorologist and demanded the day’s forecast. With great confidence—far more than wisdom—the meteorologist declared that not a single drop of rain would fall.
Pleased, the king and queen set off toward the river. Along the road they met a fisherman trudging home beside his donkey, both dripping from the morning mist. The king halted them and asked how the fishing was.
“Turn back, Your Majesty,” the fisherman warned. “It’s going to rain today.”
The king chuckled and waved him off. “Nonsense. My meteorologist assured me the skies would stay clear.”
But as soon as the royal couple cast their lines into the river, the heavens opened. Rain poured down in sheets, soaking them from crown to boot. Drenched, miserable, and smelling faintly of river weed, they retreated to the palace.
Furious, the king dismissed the meteorologist on the spot. Then he summoned the fisherman.
“You clearly know more about weather than my entire staff,” the king declared. “I want to hire you.”
“Oh no, sire,” the fisherman said. “I don’t predict the weather. My donkey does. When his ears droop, rain is on the way.”
The king was so impressed that he immediately bought the donkey for twelve gold coins. The fisherman left whistling, richer than he’d ever dreamed.
And from that day forward, kings and governments—unable to distinguish wisdom from barnyard instinct—have been hiring donkeys.
“When leaders trust the loudest ass in the room, they end up ruled by whatever donkeys they can find.”
Chameleon Magazine 
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