"Ah, thanks," said the donkey.
"Here is surely some deviltry," said the horse behind his hoof to the ox.
The entire party proceeded then to the mountains. The donkey drew a long breath and braced his legs.
"Are you ready?" asked the men.
"All ready," cried the donkey.
The men began to shovel.
The dirt and stones flew over the donkey's back in showers. It was not long before his legs were hidden. Presently only his neck and head remained in view. Then at last this wise donkey vanished. There had been made no great effect upon the range of mountains. They still towered toward the sky.
The watching crowd saw a heap of dirt and stones make a little movement and then was heard a muffled cry. "Enough! Enough! It was not two ranges of mountains! It is not fair! It is not fair!"
But the men only laughed as they shovelled on.
"Enough! Enough! Oh, woe is me—thirty snow-capped peaks upon my little back. Ah, these false, false men! Oh, virtuous, wise, and holy men, desist."