One day, the donkey saw the pig lying down and refusing to get up, pretending to be sick. He noticed that the farmer took extra care of the pig, bringing him the finest food and keeping him warm. Seeing this, the donkey thought it was a good idea.
The following day, the donkey decided to do the same. He lay down and refused to get up, pretending he was too ill to work. The farmer, worried about the donkey, brought him the finest food just like he had done with the pig.
The donkey was happy. He enjoyed the extra food and rest. However, one day, he saw the farmer leading the pig away. Later, he saw the pig no more. He found out that the farmer had killed the pig for food.
Scared for his life, the donkey decided to end his pretense. He quickly got up and went back to work, never pretending to be sick again.
One day, the donkey saw the pig lying down, pretending to be sick and refusing to get up. He noticed how the farmer took extra care of the pig, bringing him the best food and making sure he was kept warm. The donkey, seeing all this attention, thought it might be a good idea to do the same.
The next day, the donkey lay down and acted as if he was too sick to work, just like the pig. The farmer, worried about the donkey, brought him delicious food and treated him with special care, just as he had done for the pig.
The donkey felt pleased with himself. He enjoyed the rest and the extra food, thinking his plan had worked perfectly. However, one day, the donkey watched as the farmer led the pig away. After that, he never saw the pig again. The donkey soon realized that the farmer had killed the pig for food.
Frightened for his own life, the donkey immediately stopped pretending to be sick. He quickly got up and returned to work, deciding that he would never try to trick the farmer again.
One day, the donkey saw the pig lying down, pretending to be sick and refusing to get up. He noticed how the farmer took extra care of the pig, bringing him the best food and making sure he was kept warm. The donkey, seeing all this attention, thought it might be a good idea to do the same.
The next day, the donkey lay down and acted as if he was too sick to work, just like the pig. The farmer, worried about the donkey, brought him delicious food and treated him with special care, just as he had done for the pig.
The donkey felt pleased with himself. He enjoyed the rest and the extra food, thinking his plan had worked perfectly. However, one day, the donkey watched as the farmer led the pig away. After that, he never saw the pig again. The donkey soon realized that the farmer had killed the pig for food.
Frightened for his own life, the donkey immediately stopped pretending to be sick. He quickly got up and returned to work, deciding that he would never try to trick the farmer again.
One day, Donkey was strolling past Pig's sty, humming a catchy tune, when he noticed Pig was stretched out on a pile of straw, snoring like he'd won an Olympic medal for it. "Donkey, ol' buddy, don't bother me," oinked Pig lazily, a half-eaten carrot beside him. "I'm sick, you see? Cough, cough. Oink, oink!"
Donkey tilted his head. "Sick, eh? You sure you're not just hamming it up?"
Just then, Farmer walked by, balancing a tray of farm-to-sty gourmet: organic veggies, freshly churned mud, and all sorts of goodies. He cooed at Pig, "There, there, get well soon, my little bacon bit."
Donkey's eyes widened. "Farm-to-sty gourmet? Oh, I gotta get me some of that!"
The next day, Donkey lay down in his stable, put on his best 'sick face,' and sighed theatrically. "Oh, the pain, the agony! I've got... um, a terrible case of... donkeyitis!"
Farmer rushed over, concern filling his eyes. "Oh no, Donkey, you too?" He set down a tray full of high-end hay, organic carrots, and a bucket of fresh water. "Rest up, you magnificent mule!"
Donkey nibbled on the treats, grinning like he'd just hit the hay jackpot. "This is the life! It's like I'm on vacation in the Bahamas but without the airfare!"
Days went by, and Donkey was living the dream. But one sunny afternoon, he noticed Farmer leading Pig away. Pig looked as happy as a clam, or, you know, a pig about to get more gourmet food.
"Ooh, where you going, Pig? To a food festival?"
But later that day, Pig was nowhere to be seen. Donkey asked Chicken, who was clucking around, reading a tabloid.
"Did you hear?" clucked Chicken, "Pig's gone. Farmer had him... let's say, 'relocated' to the dinner table."
Donkey's eyes shot open as big as saucers. "Dinner table? You mean, Pig is now a pork chop?"
Chicken nodded solemnly. "Extra crispy."
Donkey leapt up faster than you can say "Hee-Haw!" He pranced around, kicking up his hooves. "Sudden recovery! It's a miracle! Look at me, I'm cured! I've got my groove back!"
Farmer watched, puzzled but relieved. "Well, it looks like Donkey is back in action. Saves me a trip to the butcher, I guess."
From that day on, Donkey never played sick again. He carted, he plowed, he even hummed his catchy tunes louder than ever. As for pretending to be ill? Nah, he thought, some gigs just aren't worth the gamble!
Donkey spied on Piggy, laid so low,
Pretending sick, a clever show!
Farmer came with treats galore,
And blankets that Piggy did adore.
Donkey thought, "What a smart trick!
I'll act sick and get pampered quick."
Down he flopped, just like Pig,
Hoping for a treat that was big.
Farmer rushed, worried to see,
His trusty Donkey filled with plea.
Treats and snacks, Donkey did munch,
Feeling like the king of the lunch bunch.
Days rolled on, then what's the fuss?
Farmer led Piggy away from us!
Donkey wondered, "Where did Pig go?"
Then he learned—oh no, oh no!
Piggy wasn't just lounging for fun,
His time was up, his days were done.
Donkey jumped, quick as light,
No more tricks, he knew it wasn't right.
Back to work, no more pretend,
Donkey vowed to never bend.
Lessons learned, his ways now straight,
Honest work would be his fate.
Acting as if something is true but isn't.
Saying no or not willing to do something.
More than what is usual or necessary.
Special care or focus on something or someone.
Behaved in a certain way to show something.
Very tasty or good to eat.
Feeling happy or satisfied with something.
Feeling scared or afraid of something.
To make someone believe something that isn't true.
Understood or became aware of something.
Acting as if something is true but isn't.
Saying no or not willing to do something.
More than what is usual or necessary.
Special care or focus on something or someone.
Behaved in a certain way to show something.
Very tasty or good to eat.
Feeling happy or satisfied with something.
Feeling scared or afraid of something.
To make someone believe something that isn't true.
Understood or became aware of something.
Why did the donkey decide to pretend to be sick?
How did the farmer treat the donkey when he thought it was sick?
What made the donkey realize that pretending to be sick was a bad idea?
What happened to the pig after the farmer took care of it?
How did the donkey's behavior change after seeing what happened to the pig?
The powerful North Wind and the gentle Sun try to make a traveler take off his cloak to prove who is stronger. Which one will succeed?
Steady and patient, a slow tortoise dares to race against a confident hare. Who will cross the finish line first?
A king's elephant and a dog form a friendship, are suddenly separated, but they are reunited by the king and live happily.
While the grasshopper dances through summer, the ant works hard, gathering food. Which one will survive when winter arrives?
When a farmer brings a bundle of sticks to his sons, they stop arguing. How did a simple bundle of sticks teach them?
A lion spares a tiny mouse who promises to return the favor one day. How could such a small mouse possibly help a lion?
A thirsty crow finds a pitcher with water too low to reach. What clever trick will he use to get a drink?
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Enjoy 25 selected fables for life, in print. Every purchase supports free stories for children, parents, and teachers worldwide at fablereads.com
Learn More