Ep. 636 - The Duration of Life - A German Folktale

When God had created the world and was about to fix the length of each creature’s life, the ass came and asked, “Lord, how long shall I live?”

“Thirty years,” replied God; “does that content thee?”

“Ah, Lord,” answered the ass, “that is a long time. Think of my painful existence! To carry heavy burdens from morning to night, to drag sacks of corn to the mill, that others may eat bread, to be cheered and refreshed with nothing but blows and kicks. Relieve me of a portion of this long time.”

Then God had pity on him and relieved him of eighteen years. The ass went away comforted, and the dog appeared. “How long wouldst thou like to live?” said God to him.
“Thirty years are too many for the ass, but thou wilt be satisfied with that.”