The Donkey And The Lapdog
Aesop Fable: The Donkey And The Lapdog
A man had an Donkey, and a Maltese Lapdog, a very great
beauty. The Donkey was left in a stable and had plenty of oats
and hay to eat, just as any other Donkey would. The Lapdog
knew many tricks and was a great favorite with his master,
who often fondled him and seldom went out to dine without
bringing him home some tidbit to eat.
The Donkey, on the contrary, had much work to do in grinding the corn-mill
and in carrying wood from the forest or burdens from the
farm. He often lamented his own hard fate and contrasted
it with the luxury and idleness of the Lapdog, till at last
one day he broke his cords and halter, and galloped into
his master’s house, kicking up his heels without measure,
and frisking and fawning as well as he could. He next tried
to jump about his master as he had seen the Lapdog do,
but he broke the table and smashed all the dishes upon it
to atoms. He then attempted to lick his master, and jumped
upon his back.
The servants, hearing the strange hubbub
and perceiving the danger of their master, quickly relieved
him, and drove out the Donkey to his stable with kicks and
clubs and cuffs.
The Donkey, as he returned to his stall beaten
nearly to death, thus lamented: "I have brought it all on
myself! Why could I not have been contented to labor with
my companions, and not wish to be idle all the day like
that useless little Lapdog!"
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