Foreword:
This fable represents envious behaviours, and also commonly titled as 'The Ass and the Lapdog'. It is numbered 91 in the Perry Index (as 91. The Ass who would be Playmate to his Master). In an amusing manner, this fable teaches us that clumsy jesting is no joke at all - even as we envy favourites and would fain insinuate into the same good graces, or imitate their ways.
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Once a farmer owned a donkey and a little dog.
The donkey was his favourite, because he was hardworking and helped the farmer with many burdens. In return, he made sure that he was always well-fed, and the donkey often received many a pat and kind words.
On the other hand, the little dog hardly did anything useful. He danced and frisked around playfully, often leaping up to lick the farmer's hands and face.
The farmer loved the dog, too, and showered him with a lot of attention.
This made the donkey jealous. He was already discontent with having to do so much work, and receive much less attention than he deserved. When alone, he would often say to the dog, "I wish I didn't have to work so hard, and could play around like you".
The donkey's jealousy kept growing because very frequently, the farmer would be seated on the stable and would allow the little dog on his lap. While the farmer stroked his ears and head, the little lapdog would enjoyingly wiggle and wag his tail.
When alone, the donkey said to the little dog, "I toil in the fields all day, while you do nothing. But still, you get to sit on the master's lap and not me!"
The little dog replied, "Stop complaining! You should be happy that our master treats you so kindly, and be content with what you have."
But, the donkey was not satisfied. He thought that he deserved the affection showered on the dog.
The donkey wondered, "How can I get more attention and affection from the master? Should I do what the little dog does?"
He got into his silly head that all he had to do to win his master's favour was to act like the dog.
So, the next time the farmer visited the stable after a day's work, the lapdog jumped and frisked around, as usual. And, the farmer sat the dog on his lap.
Now, the donkey kicked up his heels and, with a loud bray, pranced giddily around. This amused the surprised farmer, and he could not hold his laughter.
Impressed on himself, the donkey decided to make his final move. He ran upto the farmer to suddenly jump on his master's lap, crashing the dog out of his lap to replace with himself.
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The farmer was completely taken aback by the donkey's sudden change of behaviour.
And, while he was hurt and could not move due to the donkey's weight on him, the donkey continued his act and started licking him.
Alarmed and angered by the clumsy donkey's act, and grappling in pain, the farmer shouted for help.
His screams caught the attention of the household, and anticipating danger, his servants and helpers came running with sticks and pitchforks. And together, they beat the donkey and drove him away from their land.
Having realized his mistake, the donkey ran for his life, while the little dog watched and laughed.
Moral:
Be content with what you have, than to take something you are not fit to receive.
Or,
Do not try to gain favour by acting in a way that is contrary to your own nature and character.
Summary:
A farmer had a donkey, and a lapdog. The donkey did all the hardwork, and when the farmer returned home, the little dog would entertain him. The donkey was envious of the treatment that the lapdog received. His master's fondness for the lapdog intrigued him. All the little dog would do is jump and play, and wag his tail, and sit on the master's lap. And, the master would laugh and shower all his fondness on the little dog - despite the donkey doing all his hardwork. So, the donkey decided to do immitate the little dog to win his master's fondness. He brayed and jumped, and sat on the farmer's lap - much to the shock, pain, and displeasure of his master.