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The Donkey and His Shadow

A man hired an Donkey for his journey, but a dispute over its shadow resulted in a fight, causing them to lose the Donkey.

Two men arguing over a donkey's shadow while the donkey stands forgotten between them

Audio available for B1 version

Text Version
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Once upon a time, a man wanted to go on a long trip. So, he rented a donkey from someone for the journey. That day, the sun was very hot.

During the journey, the traveler became tired under the hot sun. He saw the donkey’s shadow and decided to rest under it to escape the heat. However, the donkey’s shadow was only big enough for one person.

The man who owned the donkey saw the traveler resting and said that the shadow belonged to him. He argued that the agreement was just for renting the donkey, not the shadow. The traveler disagreed. He thought that since he rented the donkey, the shadow should be included.

The argument between them grew stronger. Both men believed they were right and neither wanted to give up. As they fought, they didn’t notice the donkey running away into the distance. In the end, both men lost more than just the shadow.

Once upon a really, really hot day, a guy wanted to go on a big trip. So, he rented an Donkey from another guy who seemed super-smart about all things Donkey.

"Wowza, it's like a giant oven out here!" said the traveler, fanning himself like he was trying to fly. "I'm so hot I could fry an egg on my head!"

The sun was doing its best impression of a big, yellow, super-hot beach ball in the sky. So halfway through his big adventure, the traveler was super tired and as red as a cherry. Then he saw it—the Shadow of the Donkey. It looked as cozy as a super cool pillow fort. "Ah-ha, a VIP spot just for me! Very Important Pillow-fort!"

So, he plopped down, happy as a clam. But then, uh-oh! Here comes Mr. Donkey Owner, who looked really mad. "Hey! You're sitting in my Shadow! No fair!"

"What? No way!" said the traveler. "I rented your Donkey, which totally means I get the Shadow too!"

"Uh-uh! The Shadow is like a special bonus level. That's extra!"

And just like that, the two started to argue and argue. "It's mine!" "No, it's mine!" "You're silly!" "You're sillier!" They even started to wrestle, like they were both trying to be the champion of a tickle fight.

Now, you might think the Donkey would say, "Hey, what's going on here?" But nope, the Donkey was way too clever for that. He saw the two silly men busy with their own silliness and thought, "Time to run like the wind!"

And whoosh! Off he went, leaving the two men in a poof of dust and giggles. They looked at each other and then at the empty road where their ride had dashed off.

So, they both lost more than just the Shadow. They lost their Donkey, and kinda looked silly too. But hey, that's what happens when you argue over silly stuff.

Mr. Traveler had plans one day,
To go afar, he couldn't stay.
He found Mr. Owner, said, "May I please,
Rent your Donkey for my journey with ease?"

With Donkey in tow, they took their stand,
Embarking on a trip so grand.
The sun climbed high, a fiery dance,
A sizzling day, not left to chance.

Soon enough, the heat did weigh,
On Mr. Traveler, "Shade, hooray!"
He sat beneath the Donkey's shade,
Thinking that his plans well-made.

But Mr. Owner raised a brow,
"That Shadow's mine, I'll tell you now!
You rented Donkey, but not his shade,
That spot is mine, where I've oft laid!"

Mr. Traveler shook his head,
"I rented all of Donkey," he said.
"The Shadow, too, belongs to me,
For I paid for Donkey, as you can see."

And so began a quarrel loud,
Each man in his own belief was shrouded.
They bickered with no end in sight,
Unyielding in their fervent fight.

But while they fussed and while they fray,
The Donkey thought it the time to stray.
He seized the chance and trotted free,
Left them both in hot decree.

They lost the Donkey, the shade, the way,
A lesson learned, is what we say.
Sometimes it's best to compromise,
Or else you're in for a big surprise!

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Word Finder
  1. Journey:

    A trip or travel from one place to another.
  2. Rented:

    Paid money to use something for a while.
  3. Traveler:

    A person who goes on a journey somewhere.
  4. Escape:

    To get away or avoid something bad.
  5. Shadow:

    A dark area made when light is blocked.
  6. Belonged:

    Was owned by or part of someone else.
  7. Agreement:

    A decision made by people together.
  8. Included:

    Part of something or counted in something.
  9. Argument:

    A disagreement where people don’t agree.
  10. Distance:

    How far away something or someone is.
  1. Trip

    A journey or adventure to somewhere new.
  2. Rented

    Borrowed something for a short time.
  3. Impression

    How something looks or seems to you.
  4. Fanning

    Moving air to cool yourself down.
  5. Cozy

    Warm and comfortable like a soft bed.
  6. Plopped

    Sat down quickly and heavily.
  7. Bonus

    An extra, special thing you get.
  8. Wrestle

    To play fight with someone, moving around.
  9. Silliness

    Doing funny or silly things.
  10. Whoosh

    A sound or movement going very fast.
  1. Embarking

    Starting a journey or trip ahead.
  2. Fiery

    Very hot, like something burning brightly.
  3. Sizzling

    Making a hissing sound, like something hot.
  4. Hooray

    A cheer or shout of excitement.
  5. Raised

    Moved up or lifted, like a brow or hand.
  6. Shade

    A cool area out of the sun's heat.
  7. Oft

    Often, meaning many times or frequently.
  8. Shrouded

    Covered or hidden, like in mystery.
  9. Quarrel

    An argument or fight with someone.
  10. Stray

    To wander away from the correct place.
Understanding Questions
  1. Why did the traveler rent the donkey?
    1. To carry his luggage
    2. To ride it to the market
    3. To show off to his friends
    4. To help with the journey
  2. Why did the traveler want to rest under the donkey's shadow?
    1. It was too hot
    2. He was tired
    3. He liked the donkey
    4. He wanted to eat
  3. What did the owner of the donkey argue about the shadow?
    1. It was too small
    2. It was his property
    3. It was not necessary
    4. It should be shared
  4. What happened to the donkey while the men were arguing?
    1. It ran away
    2. It fell asleep
    3. It started eating
    4. It got scared
  5. What did both men lose at the end of the story?
    1. The donkey
    2. Their temper
    3. The argument
    4. Their friendship
  1. Why did the traveler want to rest under the donkey's shadow?
  2. What did the owner of the donkey argue about the shadow?
  3. What happened to the donkey while the men were arguing?
  4. What did both men lose at the end of the story?
  1. What lessons can be learned from the story?
  2. How do the characters' actions contribute to the plot?
  3. In what ways could the story have ended differently?
  4. What is the significance of the donkey in the narrative?
Reflection Questions
  1. Why do you think the two men started arguing about the shadow?
  2. What happened because they were too busy arguing and fighting?
  3. Can you think of a time when you lost something because you were too focused on something else?
  4. What does this story teach us about being too focused on small disagreements?
  5. How could the men have acted differently to avoid losing the Donkey? Can you think of any ideas?
Fable Quotes

Chasing shadows may lead to losing what's real.

Fighting over the small things can cost us everything.

Understanding others is a step towards peace, not battles.