"It has always been a wonder to me how he could have carried the earth on his back," said the horse. "Oh, my dear sir, nothing is more simple," cried the donkey. "One has only to make up one's mind to it, and then--do it. That is all. I am quite sure that if I wished I could carry a range of mountains upon my back." All the others said, "Oh, my!" "Yes, I could," asserted the donkey, stoutly. "It is merely a question of making up one's mind. I will bet." "I will wager also," said the horse. "I will wager my ears that you can't carry a range of mountains upon your back." "Done," cried the donkey. Forthwith the party of animals set out for the mountains. Suddenly, however, the donkey paused and said, "Oh, but look here. Who will place this range of mountains upon my back? Surely I can not be expected to do the loading also." Here was a great question. The party consulted. At length the ox said, "We will have to ask some men to shovel the mountain upon the donkey's back." Most of the others clapped their hoofs or their paws and cried, "Ah, that is the thing." The horse, however, shook his head doubtfully. "I don't know about these men. They are very sly. They will introduce some deviltry into the affair." "Why, how silly," said the donkey. "Apparently you do not understand men. They are the most gentle, guileless creatures." "Well," retorted the horse, "I will doubtless be able to escape since I am not to be encumbered with any mountains. Proceed." The donkey smiled in derision at these observations by the horse. Presently they came upon some men who were labouring away like mad, digging ditches, felling trees, gathering fruits, carrying water, building huts. "Look at these men, would you," said the horse. "Can you trust them after this exhibition of their depravity? See how each one selfishly--" The donkey interrupted with a loud laugh. "What nonsense!" And then he cried out to the men, "Ho, my friends, will you please come and shovel a range of mountains upon my back?" "What?" "Will you please come and shovel a range of mountains upon my back?" The men were silent for a time. Then they went apart and debated. They gesticulated a great deal. Some apparently said one thing and some another. At last they paused and one of their number came forward. "Why do you wish a range of mountains shovelled upon your back?" "It is a wager," cried the donkey. The men consulted again. And as the discussion became older, their heads went closer and closer together, until they merely whispered, and did not gesticulate at all. Ultimately they cried, "Yes, certainly we will shovel a range of mountains upon your back for you." "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.