Two likely robbers appeared out of nowhere, catching Stupid Samuel off guard.

"¡Dámelo! ¡Dame el burro!" They gestured towards the animal with their navajas. The thieves considered themselves so clever that they could overwhelm the small boy with their tiny folding knives, not realizing that Stupid Samuel carried a machete.

Our story's hero, however, did not take his large blade out. Instead, he crossed his bare arms, and with a squeaky voice, shouted, "¡Así no se pide!" These men certainly lacked manners when asking for things. Stupid Samuel thought they knew better, since they're older.

"¡Dame el burro....por favor!" The thieves repeated their demand, as if Stupid Samuel would give up his donkey just because they said please.

To their astonishment, Stupid Samuel handed over the mule, believing that they needed the ride more than he did. He especially felt pity for the two men when he witnessed them struggling to carry the ass on their backs. Stupid Samuel was not sorry, though, when he no longer had to feed the animal nor invent ways to hide their tracks without being seen.

Stupid Samuel travelled day and night, with only the sandals on his feet. Even these were so worn that they hardly gave him any protection. Fortunately, there was a trail of single socks and odd shoes left by travellers. He put on those mismatched pairs proudly, even if they were too big for his feet. It was better than nothing.

After days on the road, Stupid Samuel finally arrived at a long fence that seemed never-ending. This barrier was made of incongruous materials — some were short vehicle barricades; some were tall steel fences. At each section stood a booth occupied by men carrying rifles. It was close to nighttime, and the floodlights that hung above these stations exposed Stupid Samuel in all his naked glory.