Some say a donkey, knowing the purpose for which it is customarily used, accepts the burden it is given, but it seems just as likely that its ample heart sinks each time it is loaded up for market.

One such beast, feeling the increasing weight of the bulky panniers on its back, looked on with envy as its neighbour in the next stall was inspected by its new master. The man examined haunches and hind legs, hooves, pulled back eyelids, and put his fingers in its mouth to check its gums. Satisfied, he passed his hand over the creature’s mane and tapped its neck.

“I see you are well looked-after,” the first donkey observed.

Later, halfway along the long road to market, the first merchant led his donkey to a nearby stream so that it might refresh itself, while he went to rest in the shade of a tree. The other donkey, now loaded with a hefty consignment of its own, arrived. It paused when it saw its neighbour at the stream, but its master struck a smart blow to its rump and drove it on.

“I see you are well looked-after,” the other donkey observed as it departed.

~~~

Two donkeys loaded with merchandise toiled on the road to market. As the sun beat down, one was led to water at a nearby creek, while the other was driven on, much to its dismay. “On you go,” said its master. “We stop when the job is done.”

Some months later this donkey had been abandoned in the scrub at the side of the road. Its old acquaintance passed along the way. “Where is your master? What happened to your load?” it asked. “Those days are gone,” the abandoned donkey replied. “My work is done. I earned my freedom. You will earn yours soon enough.”

With that the abandoned donkey turned and hobbled over to a clump of thistles, while the other resumed its journey. “On you go,” said its master. “On you go. There’ll be water up ahead.”

© Richard Parkin 2025

Further reading: Misadventures in the Land of Fables #56