When money got tight, Mulla decided to cut back on expenses. He started by slightly reducing his donkey's daily oats. The donkey seemed fine, so he reduced the feed a little more, and then a little more, until the poor animal was barely eating anything and became skin and bones. Eventually, the donkey died. Looking at the carcass, Mulla sighed, "What a shame. He had just gotten fully accustomed to fasting, but his time ran out before we could see the long-term savings!"