麻豆约拍

Mark Tully considers the spiritual and cultural relationship between beasts of burden and humans and celebrates the qualities of the mule.

A byword for stubborn cantankerousness, this idiosyncratic cross between donkey and horse has written its name large in history and myth. Charles Darwin wrote, "The mule always appears to me a most surprising animal. That a hybrid should possess more reason, memory, obstinacy, social affection, powers of muscular endurance, and length of life, than either of its parents, seems to indicate that art has here outdone nature."

The programme takes us from the mining mules of America to the intrepid mule trains on the borders between Pakistan and Afghanistan, from the Old Testament to Greek myth. Mark also talks to those who commemorate the heroism of mules in two world wars every year and to Dr Faith Burden of the Donkey Sanctuary.

There are readings from the medieval poet Hafiz and twentieth century writer Cicely Fox Smith and music from the Grand Canyon and from Mexico.

The readers are Emily Raymond and Jasper Britton

Presenter: Mark Tully
Producer: Frank Stirling
A Unique production for 麻豆约拍 Radio 4.