Aesop
|
Greece

The Donkey and the Pig

The donkey imitates the pig's trick of pretending to be sick for extra care, but stops when he realizes the pig gets killed for food.
Understanding
Imitation
Consequences
Featured in Fable Book
Aesop's Fables - The Donkey and the Pig
Audio available for B1 version

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.

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Word Finder

  1. Pretending

    Acting as if something is true but isn't.

  2. Refusing

    Saying no or not willing to do something.

  3. Extra

    More than what is usual or necessary.

  4. Attention

    Special care or focus on something or someone.

  5. Acted

    Behaved in a certain way to show something.

  6. Delicious

    Very tasty or good to eat.

  7. Pleased

    Feeling happy or satisfied with something.

  8. Frightened

    Feeling scared or afraid of something.

  9. Trick

    To make someone believe something that isn't true.

  10. Realized

    Understood or became aware of something.

Understanding Questions

  1. Why did the donkey decide to pretend to be sick?
  2. How did the farmer treat the donkey when he thought it was sick?
  3. What made the donkey realize that pretending to be sick was a bad idea?
  4. What happened to the pig after the farmer took care of it?
  5. How did the donkey's behavior change after seeing what happened to the pig?
Word Finder
  1. Pretending

    Acting as if something is true but isn't.

  2. Refusing

    Saying no or not willing to do something.

  3. Extra

    More than what is usual or necessary.

  4. Attention

    Special care or focus on something or someone.

  5. Acted

    Behaved in a certain way to show something.

  6. Delicious

    Very tasty or good to eat.

  7. Pleased

    Feeling happy or satisfied with something.

  8. Frightened

    Feeling scared or afraid of something.

  9. Trick

    To make someone believe something that isn't true.

  10. Realized

    Understood or became aware of something.

Understanding Questions

    Why did the donkey decide to pretend to be sick?

    1. To avoid work
    2. To get attention
    3. To trick the farmer
    4. To be with the pig
  1. How did the farmer treat the donkey when he thought it was sick?

    1. He ignored it
    2. He called the vet
    3. He gave it medicine
    4. He took it to the market
  2. What made the donkey realize that pretending to be sick was a bad idea?

    1. Seeing the pig healthy
    2. Being scolded by the farmer
    3. Feeling guilty
    4. Hearing other animals
  3. What happened to the pig after the farmer took care of it?

    1. It got better
    2. It was sold
    3. It ran away
    4. It got sick again
  4. How did the donkey's behavior change after seeing what happened to the pig?

    1. It became more helpful
    2. It continued to pretend
    3. It was more playful
    4. It ignored the farmer
  1. Why did the donkey decide to pretend to be sick?
  2. How did the farmer treat the donkey when he thought it was sick?
  3. What made the donkey realize that pretending to be sick was a bad idea?
  4. What happened to the pig after the farmer took care of it?
  5. How did the donkey's behavior change after seeing what happened to the pig?
  1. Why did the donkey decide to pretend to be sick?
  2. How did the farmer treat the donkey when he thought it was sick?
  3. What made the donkey realize that pretending to be sick was a bad idea?
  4. What happened to the pig after the farmer took care of it?
  5. How did the donkey's behavior change after seeing what happened to the pig?
Reflection Questions
  1. Why do you think the Donkey decided to pretend to be sick after watching the Pig?
  2. How did the Donkey's decision to pretend to be sick impact his life in the farm?
  3. Can you think of a time when copying someone else's behavior without understanding the consequences led to an unexpected result?
  4. What does this story teach us about the importance of understanding the full situation before making decisions?
  5. How can we apply this lesson from the story in our own lives to make better choices?
Fable Quotes
Beware of actions whose consequences you do not fully understand.
To mimic without understanding is like walking a path in darkness.
Before imitating, consider the ripple that follows the stone.
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