Once upon a time, there was a special merchant. This merchant could understand the language of animals. This skill helped him know what his animals were talking about. On his farm, he had a hardworking bull and a smart donkey. The bull plowed the fields, and the donkey carried goods to the market.
One day, while the bull and the donkey were eating in the garden, they started talking. The bull, tired from a long day of work, sighed and said, "You have an easy life, my friend. You only carry light loads, but I work hard all day in the fields. My food is the same as yours, and my stable smells bad."
The donkey felt sorry for the bull and replied, "You are right. You work harder than I do. But why don't you pretend to be sick? When the farmer comes to take you to the fields, just lie down and don't get up. Make noises as if you are in pain, and he will think you are too sick to work. You can rest for a few days."
The bull thanked the donkey for the advice and decided to try the plan. The merchant, who was nearby, heard their entire conversation. He hid behind a big tree to listen. He understood their plan and decided to teach them a lesson.
The next morning, when the farmer came to take the bull to the fields, the bull lay on the ground, making noises and pretending to be very sick. The farmer was worried and said, "Oh no, my poor bull is sick! He cannot work today. He needs to rest."
The farmer went to the merchant and explained the situation. "Sir," he said, "the bull is very sick and cannot work today. What should I do?"
The merchant, knowing what was happening, replied, "Take the donkey instead. Let the donkey work with the plow in the fields today."
The farmer was surprised but did as he was told. He went to the donkey and said, "Since the bull is sick, you must go to the fields and plow today." The donkey was unhappy but had no choice. He spent the whole day working hard under the hot sun, plowing the fields.
That evening, the donkey returned home very tired. The bull, feeling much better after a day of rest, greeted the donkey cheerfully. "How was your day, my friend?" asked the bull.
The donkey, tired and sore, replied, "It was terrible! I had to work very hard, and now I am very tired. The farmer was not happy with my work and was very angry. He even said he might sell you to a butcher if you pretend to be sick again. You should not pretend anymore."
The bull felt sorry for the donkey and decided to return to work the next day. He realized that it was better to do his share of work rather than avoid it. The merchant, who had heard this conversation too, smiled and thought that the donkey had learned his lesson.
The next morning, the bull got up early and went to the fields with the farmer. The donkey went back to his usual job of carrying goods to the market. From that day on, the bull and the donkey continued to live on the farm, each doing their part and helping the merchant and the farmer. They remained friends and never tried to trick their master again.
Once upon a time, there was a special merchant. This merchant could understand the language of animals. This skill helped him know what his animals were talking about. On his farm, he had a hardworking bull and a smart donkey. The bull plowed the fields, and the donkey carried goods to the market.
One day, while the bull and the donkey were eating in the garden, they started talking. The bull, tired from a long day of work, sighed and said, "You have an easy life, my friend. You only carry light loads, but I work hard all day in the fields. My food is the same as yours, and my stable smells bad."
The donkey felt sorry for the bull and replied, "You are right. You work harder than I do. But why don't you pretend to be sick? When the farmer comes to take you to the fields, just lie down and don' get up. Make noises as if you are in pain, and he will think you are too sick to work. You can rest for a few days."
The bull thanked the donkey for the advice and decided to try the plan. The merchant, who was nearby, heard their entire conversation. He hid behind a big tree to listen. He understood their plan and decided to teach them a lesson.
The next morning, when the farmer came to take the bull to the fields, the bull lay on the ground, making noises and pretending to be very sick. The farmer was worried and said, "Oh no, my poor bull is sick! He cannot work today. He needs to rest."
The farmer went to the merchant and explained the situation. "Sir," he said, "the bull is very sick and cannot work today. What should I do?"
The merchant, knowing what was happening, replied, "Take the donkey instead. Let the donkey work with the plow in the fields today."
The farmer was surprised but did as he was told. He went to the donkey and said, "Since the bull is sick, you must go to the fields and plow today." The donkey was unhappy but had no choice. He spent the whole day working hard under the hot sun, plowing the fields.
That evening, the donkey returned home very tired. The bull, feeling much better after a day of rest, greeted the donkey cheerfully. "How was your day, my friend?" asked the bull.
The donkey, tired and sore, replied, "It was terrible! I had to work very hard, and now I am very tired. The farmer was not happy with my work and was very angry. He even said he might sell you to a butcher if you pretend to be sick again. You should not pretend anymore."
The bull felt sorry for the donkey and decided to return to work the next day. He realized that it was better to do his share of work rather than avoid it. The merchant, who had heard this conversation too, smiled and thought that the donkey had learned his lesson.
The next morning, the bull got up early and went to the fields with the farmer. The donkey went back to his usual job of carrying goods to the market. From that day on, the bull and the donkey continued to live on the farm, each doing their part and helping the merchant and the farmer. They remained friends and never tried to trick their master again.
There is a man. He has a farm. On his farm, there is a bull and a donkey. The bull works in the field. The donkey carries things to the market.
One day, the bull and the donkey talk. The bull says, "I work hard every day. I am very tired. My food is the same as yours. My house smells bad."
The donkey feels sorry for the bull. He says, "You can act like you are sick. When the farmer comes, lie down. Make noises. The farmer will think you are sick. You can rest."
The bull says, "Thank you," and decides to try.
The next morning, the farmer comes. The bull lies down. He makes noises. The farmer says, "Oh no, the bull is sick! He cannot work today."
The farmer goes to the man and says, "The bull is sick. He cannot work. What should I do?"
The man says, "Take the donkey. Let the donkey work in the field today."
The farmer takes the donkey. The donkey works in the field all day. He is very tired.
In the evening, the donkey comes home. The bull is happy. He says, "How was your day?"
The donkey says, "It was bad. I am very tired. The farmer is angry. He says he will sell you if you are sick again. Do not act like you are sick anymore."
The bull feels sorry for the donkey. He decides to work the next day.
The next morning, the bull goes to the field with the farmer. The donkey goes to the market. They do their jobs. They do not try to trick the farmer again. They are happy and work together.
Once upon a time, there was a special merchant. This merchant could understand the language of animals. This skill helped him know what his animals were talking about. On his farm, he had a hardworking bull and a smart donkey. The bull plowed the fields, and the donkey carried goods to the market.
One day, while the bull and the donkey were eating in the garden, they started talking. The bull, tired from a long day of work, sighed and said, "You have an easy life, my friend. You only carry light loads, but I work hard all day in the fields. My food is the same as yours, and my stable smells bad."
The donkey felt sorry for the bull and replied, "You are right. You work harder than I do. But why don't you pretend to be sick? When the farmer comes to take you to the fields, just lie down and don' get up. Make noises as if you are in pain, and he will think you are too sick to work. You can rest for a few days."
The bull thanked the donkey for the advice and decided to try the plan. The merchant, who was nearby, heard their entire conversation. He hid behind a big tree to listen. He understood their plan and decided to teach them a lesson.
The next morning, when the farmer came to take the bull to the fields, the bull lay on the ground, making noises and pretending to be very sick. The farmer was worried and said, "Oh no, my poor bull is sick! He cannot work today. He needs to rest."
The farmer went to the merchant and explained the situation. "Sir," he said, "the bull is very sick and cannot work today. What should I do?"
The merchant, knowing what was happening, replied, "Take the donkey instead. Let the donkey work with the plow in the fields today."
The farmer was surprised but did as he was told. He went to the donkey and said, "Since the bull is sick, you must go to the fields and plow today." The donkey was unhappy but had no choice. He spent the whole day working hard under the hot sun, plowing the fields.
That evening, the donkey returned home very tired. The bull, feeling much better after a day of rest, greeted the donkey cheerfully. "How was your day, my friend?" asked the bull.
The donkey, tired and sore, replied, "It was terrible! I had to work very hard, and now I am very tired. The farmer was not happy with my work and was very angry. He even said he might sell you to a butcher if you pretend to be sick again. You should not pretend anymore."
The bull felt sorry for the donkey and decided to return to work the next day. He realized that it was better to do his share of work rather than avoid it. The merchant, who had heard this conversation too, smiled and thought that the donkey had learned his lesson.
The next morning, the bull got up early and went to the fields with the farmer. The donkey went back to his usual job of carrying goods to the market. From that day on, the bull and the donkey continued to live on the farm, each doing their part and helping the merchant and the farmer. They remained friends and never tried to trick their master again.
Once upon a time, there was a very special merchant. This merchant had a superpower: he could understand the language of animals. Imagine that! So, he always knew what his animals were chatting about. On his farm, he had a hardworking bull and a smart donkey. The bull plowed the fields, and the donkey carried goods to the market.
One sunny day, while the bull and the donkey were munching on their lunch in the garden, they started talking. The bull, tired from a long day of work, sighed and said, "You have it so easy, my friend. You just carry light loads, but I work hard all day in the fields. My food is the same as yours, and my stable smells like an old sock."
The donkey, who fancied himself a bit of a genius, replied, "Well, why don't you pretend to be sick? When the farmer comes to take you to the fields, just lie down and don't get up. Groan and moan like you've got the world's worst tummy ache. He'll think you're too sick to work, and you can have a few days off. Easy peasy!"
The bull, excited by the idea, thanked the donkey for the advice and decided to try the plan. Meanwhile, the merchant, who was sneaking around like a ninja behind a big tree, heard their entire conversation. He decided it was time for some fun.
The next morning, when the farmer came to take the bull to the fields, the bull lay on the ground, groaning and acting like a drama queen. "Oh no, my poor bull is sick! He cannot work today. He needs to rest," said the farmer, looking very worried.
The farmer rushed to the merchant and explained the situation. "Sir," he said, "the bull is very sick and cannot work today. What should I do?"
The merchant, trying not to laugh, replied, "Take the donkey instead. Let the donkey work with the plow in the fields today."
The farmer, scratching his head, did as he was told. He went to the donkey and said, "Since the bull is sick, you must go to the fields and plow today." The donkey's eyes widened. "Wait, what? This was not part of the plan!" he thought. But he had no choice. He spent the whole day working hard under the hot sun, plowing the fields.
That evening, the donkey returned home dragging his hooves, exhausted. The bull, feeling like a million bucks after his day off, greeted the donkey cheerfully. "How was your day, my friend?" asked the bull.
The donkey, panting and sore, replied, "It was the worst day ever! I had to work very hard, and now I'm as tired as a sloth after a marathon. The farmer was not happy with my work and kept mumbling something about trading you for sausages if you pretend to be sick again. So, maybe... don't do that."
The bull felt sorry for the donkey and decided to return to work the next day. He realized that it was better to do his fair share of work rather than avoid it. The merchant, who had been eavesdropping like a spy again, smiled and thought, "Lesson learned."
The next morning, the bull got up bright and early and went to the fields with the farmer. The donkey went back to his usual job of carrying goods to the market, feeling relieved. From that day on, the bull and the donkey continued to live on the farm, each doing their part and helping the merchant and the farmer. They remained friends and never tried to trick anyone again.
And they all lived happily ever after, with no more sneaky plans and a lot more teamwork.
There once was a merchant, clever and wise,
Who understood animals, much to their surprise.
He had a strong bull, so loyal and true,
And a smart little donkey who knew what to do.
The bull plowed the fields from morning to night,
While the donkey carried goods, oh what a sight!
One day, in the garden where they both fed,
The bull sighed deeply and then he said:
“Dear donkey, your life is so easy and bright,
While I work all day, from morning to night.
My stable is smelly, my work never ends,
And yet we both eat the same food, my friend.“
The donkey, feeling sorry, gave some advice,
“Pretend you are sick, it might be nice.
When the farmer comes, just lie on the ground,
Make noises of pain, don't move around.“
The bull thanked the donkey and thought he'd try,
Not knowing the merchant was standing nearby.
The merchant had heard every word they'd shared,
And decided to teach them a lesson well-prepared.
The next morning, the bull played his part,
He lay on the ground, clutching his heart.
The farmer was worried, “Oh no, he's unwell!
What should we do? Only time will tell.“
The merchant then said, “Take the donkey instead,
Let him plow the fields, while the bull stays in bed.“
The farmer agreed, and off they did go,
The donkey was nervous, but he couldn't say no.
All day in the sun, the donkey did toil,
Plowing the fields and turning the soil.
That evening he returned, tired and sore,
While the bull felt better than ever before.
“How was your day?“ asked the bull with a grin,
But the donkey just sighed, “Where do I begin?
It was tough and tiring, my muscles did bend,
The farmer was angry, he said it might end.“
“He said if you pretend to be sick once more,
He'll sell you to the butcher, straight out the door.“
The bull, feeling guilty, decided right there,
To go back to work and be fair and square.
The next day, the bull woke up bright and early,
He worked in the fields, though his coat was curly.
The donkey went back to his usual chore,
Carrying goods to the market once more.
From then on, they worked without any tricks,
Helping the merchant with all of his picks.
They remained good friends, both loyal and true,
Knowing hard work was the right thing to do.
A thirsty crow finds a pitcher with water too low to reach. What clever trick will he use to get a drink?
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.
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?
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?
While the grasshopper dances through summer, the ant works hard, gathering food. Which one will survive when winter arrives?
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
