It ain't heavy, it is my karma!

It ain't heavy, it is just my karma!

The debate that was always going through our minds throughout the expedition was the appropriateness of using the assistance of donkeys to carry our loads.

What we perceived as a constant sad donkey facial appearance donned with eyes accentuated by droopy eyelids and long fluffy eyelashes was a steady reminder that we had sinned when we signed up to allow these hapless docile, domesticated 'workhorses' to partake our trip. 

Contrary to what we, the lazy homo sapiens, branded these meek animals, they were anything but foolish, stubborn, fat or lazy. We were reminded of the phrases in our daily lives; stupid ass, lazy ass, fat ass, stubborn as a mule (which is genetically half a donkey), making an ass of oneself and ignorance. In a Tamil proverb, they were symbolically portrayed as simpletons, not able to appreciate the more delicate things in life. (A donkey cannot relish the smell of camphor; as traditionally donkeys were used by dhobies to carry soiled smelly clothes, they would not be able to recognise fragrances.)

Over the course of the trip, we convinced ourselves that life was not all doom and gloom for our Equus friends. They existed, hence they had to live. To survive, they had to be fed. They also belonged to somebody. In a somewhat symbiotic way, in a win-win situation, their labour generated an income for their otherwise hard-pressed owners. Our contribution in the monetary forms assures a square meal for both the animals and their owners. They could walk up with their heads held high that they worked hard for their living. They need not live on handouts.

No matter what the world thought of them, the jacks knew that their labour was not for nothing. Maybe they had not been given conscience, perhaps, as they served well, they may climb the karmic ladder to attain higher statuses.