Paddy's Donkey - a tale of real enterprise

Mark Watson-Mitchell - 26.12.2025

I thought that you might like a moment of light relief, as I recall a story told to me some years ago by an amusing old broker friend of mine.

Never short of a drink or two while standing at the bar, supporting it, of course, he recalled a tale from his distant past.

Financial Planning explained by a very enterprising Irishman.

Paddy bought a donkey from a farmer for £100.

The farmer agreed to deliver the donkey the next day.

In the morning, he drove up and said,

"Sorry, son, but I have some bad news. The donkey has died."

Paddy replied, "Well, just give me my money back then."

The farmer said, "Can’t do that. I’ve already spent it."

Paddy said, "OK then, just bring me the dead donkey."

The farmer asked, "What are you going to do with him?"

Paddy said, "I’m going to raffle him off."

The farmer said, "You can’t raffle a dead donkey!"

Paddy said, "Sure, I can. Watch me. I won’t tell anybody he’s dead."

A month later, the farmer met up with Paddy and asked,

"What happened with that dead donkey?"

Paddy said, "I raffled him off. I sold 500 tickets at £2 each and made a profit of £898."

The farmer said, "Didn’t anyone complain?"

Paddy said, "Just the guy who won. So, I gave him his £2 back."

Paddy now works for Goldman Sachs.