The Donkey That Thought He Was Clever #ChildrenStoryBook

The Donkey That Thought He Was Clever

Once upon a time….a donkey thought he was clever. Every day, his master harnessed him to a cart loaded with goods. They always went the same way to the village: along a wide path through the wood, down a gentle slope into farmland, then along the river to the ford and over the plain to the village.

Since the route was always the same, the donkey’s master had got into the habit of having a snooze on top of the cart, while the donkey, who knew the way by heart, plodded on.

Feeling unwell one day, the man decided to risk sending the donkey by himself, with a load for urgent delivery. When the animal returned, he was given a double ration of oats as a reward.

“Since you’re so clever at remembering the way, “the man said. “I’m going to send you alone always, then I can do other jobs!” And from then on, in all kinds of weather, the donkey travelled to the village by himself. His master was delighted.

However, one morning, when the donkey reached the river, he decided to shorten his journey by wading across the water. But he entered the river at a deep spot, much deeper than the donkey expected, and he had to swim against the current.

Luckily, he was carrying a load of salt that day, and some of it dissolved in the water, easing the donkey’s load, so that he reached the other side without much difficulty. “I am clever,” said the donkey, pleased with himself. “I’ve found a short cut.”
Next day, the man loaded the cart with sponges, and the donkey set off as usual. When he arrived at the river, he again thought he would take the short cut, and entered the water as he had done the day before. But this time, the sponges soaked up the water and made the cart heavy, so that the poor animal could not keep his head above water. And in spite of all his efforts, the donkey that thought he was so clever, sank below the surface of the water together with his load.

Lesson: Be smart in dealing with others and your undertakings. Don’t pride yourself to be clever with what you’re doing when in fact, you don’t know the basic of the matter.

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The Animals and the Plague #ChildreStoryBook

The Animals and the Plague

Once upon a time…a terrible scourge swept through a huge forest, full of animals. It was the plague. One after the other, all the animals, big and small, strong and weak, died of the dreadful disease. None could hope to escape such a horrible fate, not even the lion himself, king of the forest. Indeed, it was the lion that gathered together the survivors, and said in a trembling voice: “This disaster is a punishment for our wicked ways. And I for one will admit I’ve been wicked. If you find me guilty, I’ll gladly give up my life if you think that would help you I in making amends for your own sins. So I confess that, during my lifetime, I’ve eaten many an innocent sheep.”

“But, Sire,” broke in one of the animals, “sure you don’t think that eating sheep is a serious sin. We too…we too…” And they all began to tell their own stories.

One by one, the animals told of their crimes against their neighbors. The leopard had killed on more than one occasion, the eagle had snatched rabbits and lambs, the fox and the wolf had stolen and murdered. Even the placid-looking owl had little birds and mice on his conscience. Everyone had some wicked-deed, serious, or otherwise, to confess. But each animal, after his confession, was forgiven by the others, all just as guilty, of course. Last came the donkey, who said with a mortified air: “I did a very wicked thing too. One day, instead of just grazing here and there, I ate two clumps of grass in a clover meadow, without permission. I was sorry afterwards, and I’ve had a guilty conscience about it ever since!”

All the animals glared at the donkey and, shouting and calling insults, they chorused: “So that’s who brought the plague on us! Stealing grass from a poor peasant! Shame on you!” And the fate of the donkey was decided unanimously.

Lesson: How often are innocent folk made to pay for the wicked deeds of guilty?

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