as we navigate these charted waters, let's speak of donkeys, my mates, aye, an untalked-of crew amongst the animal kingdom who deserve our salutes. before we set sail on this tale, let's renew our appreciation from the outset, for these creatures are not just beasts of burden but vital to our prepatory work ashore. we relegate to our daily bulletins the tales of many a landlubber and sea dog, but seldom do we pen the praises of the donkey, steadfast in labor and companion in solitude, making known the unknown, and reminding us of the untold stories waiting in unexplored harbors.