Aesop
|
Greece

The Donkey and The Lapdog

A jealous Donkey imitates a beloved lapdog, causing chaos and earning a beating, regretting his actions in the end.
Identity
Consequences
Acceptance
Featured in Fable Book
Aesop's Fables - The Donkey and The Lapdog
Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time, there was an Donkey who lived on a farm. The farmer also had a small Lapdog who was much loved by him. The Lapdog always got affection and special treats from the farmer. Every day, the Lapdog would scamper over to the farmer, wagging its tail and licking the farmer's hands and face.

The Donkey watched all this from a distance. Though he was not starved and had his needs met, he had to do a lot of work. Moreover, the farmer hardly paid any attention to him.

The Donkey became jealous of the Lapdog and thought if he acted like the Lapdog, the farmer would love him too. So one day, he left his barn and with a clatter, entered the farmer's house.

He found the farmer sitting at the dining table. He then began to frolic around the table just like the Lapdog did. However, being a hefty Donkey, he accidentally knocked over the table. Seeing the farmer, he placed his hooves on the farmer's knees and tried to lick his face.

But his weight was too much for the chair, and both the Donkey and the farmer toppled over into a pile of broken dishes.

The farmer was scared and called for help. The farmhands came running, and seeing the trouble caused by the Donkey, they chased him back to his barn with kicks and hits.

The Donkey was left alone in his barn, regretting his silly act that only earned him a good beating.

Once upon a time, there was a Donkey who lived on a farm. The farmer also had a small Lapdog that he loved very much. The Lapdog always got attention and special treats from the farmer.

Every day, the Lapdog would run to the farmer, wagging its tail and licking the farmer’s hands and face.

The Donkey saw all this from afar. Even though he wasn’t hungry and his needs were met, he had to do a lot of hard work. The farmer barely noticed him.

The Donkey felt jealous of the Lapdog and thought that if he acted like the Lapdog, the farmer would love him too. So, one day, he left his stable and, with a lot of noise, entered the farmer’s house.

He found the farmer sitting at the table. The Donkey started to play around just like the Lapdog. But, because he was so big, he knocked over the table.

Then, he put his hooves on the farmer’s knees and tried to lick his face.

But he was too heavy for the chair, and both the farmer and the Donkey fell down with the dishes breaking around them.

The farmer was frightened and called for help. The workers came running, and when they saw the mess the Donkey had made, they chased him back to the stable with kicks and shouts.

The Donkey was left alone in his stable, feeling sorry for what he had done, realizing that his actions only got him into trouble.

Once upon a time, there was a Donkey who lived on a farm. The farmer also had a small Lapdog that he loved very much. The Lapdog always got attention and special treats from the farmer.

Every day, the Lapdog would run to the farmer, wagging its tail and licking the farmer’s hands and face.

The Donkey saw all this from afar. Even though he wasn’t hungry and his needs were met, he had to do a lot of hard work. The farmer barely noticed him.

The Donkey felt jealous of the Lapdog and thought that if he acted like the Lapdog, the farmer would love him too. So, one day, he left his stable and, with a lot of noise, entered the farmer’s house.

He found the farmer sitting at the table. The Donkey started to play around just like the Lapdog. But, because he was so big, he knocked over the table.

Then, he put his hooves on the farmer’s knees and tried to lick his face.

But he was too heavy for the chair, and both the farmer and the Donkey fell down with the dishes breaking around them.

The farmer was frightened and called for help. The workers came running, and when they saw the mess the Donkey had made, they chased him back to the stable with kicks and shouts.

The Donkey was left alone in his stable, feeling sorry for what he had done, realizing that his actions only got him into trouble.

Once upon a time, on a funky farm with more drama than a school talent show, there lived an Donkey. He wasn't any ordinary Donkey, though; he had big dreams and an even bigger... appetite. On this same drama-packed farm, there was a Lapdog, a tiny fluffball who, if he could talk, would probably say, "I woke up like this, flawless."

Every day, the farmer gave Lapdog belly rubs and treats. The Donkey watched, munching on his hay, thinking, "Why does Mr. Fluffy get all the love? Is it his fur? Does he use special shampoo?!"

Feeling left out, the Donkey whispered to himself, "Right! If Sir Wag-a-Lot can do it, so can I!" His plan? To steal the show and be the farmer's new favorite. "Watch out world, here comes Mr. CuddleBum!" With confidence that could fill a barn, the Donkey strutted into the farmer's house. He found the farmer eating biscuits. Wanting to be just like the Lapdog, the Donkey thought, "Let's do a fun dance around the table!" But instead of fancy footwork, he danced like he had two left hooves, making the table crash! Biscuits flew everywhere, some even landing on the farmer's hat.

Not giving up, the Donkey leaned in for the cldonkeyic Lapdog face-lick. But, alas, what works for a little doggie doesn't quite fit the... well, donkey-et of an Donkey. There was a wobble, a shake, and a hilarious tumble, ending in a pile of dishes and a very surprised farmer.

The farmer, whose hat now sported a biscuit crown, shouted, "Oi! Who let the disco donkey in?!" Farmhands rushed in like they'd just seen a flying pig. With a few friendly nudges, they escorted our enthusiastic Donkey back to his comfy barn.

Settling back into his hay bed, the Donkey thought, "Maybe the disco moves are better left for Saturday nights. Or perhaps a dance-off with the chickens!" Chuckling to himself, he snuggled into his hay, dreaming of the next fun adventure.

And somewhere in the distance, if you listened closely, you could hear the faint chuckles of farm animals enjoying the great Donkey-tastrophe of the day.

There once was an Donkey, strong and vast,
Who watched as each day went past,
The little Lapdog, so spry and so small,
Got treats and cuddles, oh how he had a ball!

The Lapdog would jump, wag, and play,
Getting love from the farmer each day.
But the Donkey, though he worked, strong and true,
Felt left out, not sure what to do.

"Why does that dog, so tiny and neat,
Get treats and cuddles, and places to sit?"
Thought the Donkey, "If I act that way too,
Perhaps the farmer will love me, it's true!"

So off to the house, the Donkey did stride,
Dreaming of love, with hope in his eyes.
But being so big, with hooves that go "clomp!",
He caused quite a mess, a tumble, a stomp!

The farmer, surprised, fell right to the floor,
Broken dishes around, oh what a chore!
The farmhands came fast, "Get out!" they did yell,
And the Donkey felt so sad, as back to the barn he did dwell.

Feeling regret for the trouble he'd made,
The Donkey realized, in his barn he should stay.
It's always best, as you grow and you play,
To be true to yourself, each and every day!

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Word Finder

  1. Lapdog

    Small dog loved and treated specially.

  2. Attention

    Noticing and caring about someone or something.

  3. Afraid

    Feeling fear or scared about something.

  4. Jealous

    Feeling upset wanting what others have.

  5. Stable

    A building where animals, like donkeys, stay.

  6. Hooves

    The hard feet of animals like donkeys.

  7. Frustrated

    Feeling upset because things aren’t working.

  8. Frightened

    Feeling very scared or afraid.

  9. Workers

    People who do jobs, like helping on farms.

  10. Realizing

    Understanding something you didn’t know before.

Understanding Questions

  1. Where did the Donkey live?
  2. What special treatment did the Lapdog receive from the farmer?
  3. Why did the Donkey feel jealous of the Lapdog?
  4. What happened when the Donkey tried to act like the Lapdog inside the farmer’s house?
  5. What was the result of the Donkey's actions in the farmer’s house?
Word Finder
  1. Lapdog

    Small dog loved and treated specially.

  2. Attention

    Noticing and caring about someone or something.

  3. Afraid

    Feeling fear or scared about something.

  4. Jealous

    Feeling upset wanting what others have.

  5. Stable

    A building where animals, like donkeys, stay.

  6. Hooves

    The hard feet of animals like donkeys.

  7. Frustrated

    Feeling upset because things aren’t working.

  8. Frightened

    Feeling very scared or afraid.

  9. Workers

    People who do jobs, like helping on farms.

  10. Realizing

    Understanding something you didn’t know before.

Understanding Questions
  1. What special treatment did the Lapdog receive from the farmer?

    1. He was given special food.
    2. He got to sleep inside the house.
    3. He was taken for walks every day.
    4. He received toys to play with.
  2. Why did the Donkey feel jealous of the Lapdog?

    1. Because he wanted to be inside the house.
    2. Because he wanted the farmer's attention.
    3. Because he wanted to eat the same food.
    4. Because he wanted to play with toys.
  3. What happened when the Donkey tried to act like the Lapdog inside the farmer’s house?

    1. He was praised by the farmer.
    2. He knocked over things and caused chaos.
    3. He made friends with the Lapdog.
    4. He was given a toy to play with.
  4. What was the result of the Donkey's actions in the farmer’s house?

    1. He was sent outside.
    2. He got a treat.
    3. He was allowed to stay inside.
    4. He made the farmer laugh.
  1. Where did the Donkey live?
  2. What special treatment did the Lapdog receive from the farmer?
  3. Why did the Donkey feel jealous of the Lapdog?
  4. What happened when the Donkey tried to act like the Lapdog inside the farmer’s house?
  5. What was the result of the Donkey's actions in the farmer’s house?
  1. Where did the Donkey live?
  2. What special treatment did the Lapdog receive from the farmer?
  3. Why did the Donkey feel jealous of the Lapdog?
  4. What happened when the Donkey tried to act like the Lapdog inside the farmer’s house?
  5. What was the result of the Donkey's actions in the farmer’s house?
Reflection Questions
  1. Why do you think the Donkey wanted to act like the Lapdog?
  2. What happened when the Donkey tried to behave like the Lapdog?
  3. Can you think of a time when you tried to be someone else and it didn't work out the way you expected?
  4. What does this story teach us about appreciating who we are and our own unique qualities?
  5. How can we apply the lesson from this story to better appreciate ourselves and others for their individual strengths and differences?
Fable Quotes
True joy is found not in imitation but in embracing our own uniqueness.
Every imitation has its consequences, not all of which are laughter.
In accepting who we are, we find our own place in the world.
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