The Donkey’s Song
In a small village surrounded by green fields and quiet roads, there lived a donkey named Dholu. He belonged to a washerman and spent his days carrying heavy loads of clothes from the village to the river and back.
Dholu worked very hard. From morning till evening, he carried bundles on his back without complaint. But deep inside, he felt unappreciated. He often watched birds singing on the trees and wished he could do something special too.
“Why does no one admire me?” Dholu would think. “The birds are praised for their songs, and even the peacocks are admired for their beauty. But I am only seen as a worker.”
One evening, after finishing his work, Dholu wandered into a nearby field filled with fresh vegetables. There, he met a clever jackal named Kalu.
Kalu was known for his sharp mind and cautious nature. He had been secretly visiting the field at night to eat vegetables without being caught.
Seeing Dholu, Kalu said, “You look tired, my friend. Why don’t you join me? This field is full of delicious food, and no one is around at night.”
Dholu’s eyes lit up. “Really? That sounds wonderful! I am always hungry after a long day of work.”
From that day on, Dholu and Kalu began visiting the field every night. They quietly slipped in, ate fresh vegetables, and returned before anyone noticed. Life became more enjoyable for Dholu.
One night, after eating to his heart’s content, Dholu felt extremely happy. The cool breeze, the moonlight, and the peaceful surroundings filled him with joy.
Suddenly, he said, “Kalu, I feel like singing tonight!”
Kalu was alarmed. “Singing? Are you serious?” he whispered. “This is not the time or place for singing. If the farmer hears you, we will be caught.”
But Dholu insisted, “You don’t understand. I have always wanted to sing. Tonight, I feel inspired. I must express myself!”
Kalu tried to reason with him. “My friend, your voice is not like the sweet songs of birds. It is loud and harsh. Please control yourself. We are here to eat quietly, not to perform.”
Dholu felt offended. “You are jealous of my talent,” he said proudly. “I will prove that I can sing beautifully.”
Realizing that he could not stop Dholu, Kalu quickly moved away to a safe distance. “Do what you want,” he said, “but I will not stay here.”
As soon as Kalu left, Dholu lifted his head and began to sing at the top of his voice. His loud braying echoed across the fields.
“Hee-haw! Hee-haw!”
The peaceful night was shattered by his noise. The farmer, who was sleeping nearby, woke up immediately.
“Who is making that terrible sound in my field?” he shouted, grabbing a stick and running toward the noise.
Dholu continued singing, completely unaware of the danger approaching him.
Within moments, the farmer reached the field and saw Dholu. Furious at seeing his crops being destroyed, he began to beat the donkey with his stick.
Dholu cried out in pain and tried to run, but the farmer chased him and hit him again and again.
Finally, Dholu managed to escape and ran back to the village, injured and exhausted.
The next day, Kalu found him resting under a tree. “I warned you,” Kalu said calmly. “Sometimes, it is better to remain silent and safe than to show off at the wrong time.”
Dholu lowered his head in shame. “You were right,” he admitted. “I let my pride and desire for attention lead me into trouble.”
From that day on, Dholu learned an important lesson. He continued to work hard, but he also became wiser. He understood that not every desire needs to be fulfilled, especially when it brings danger.
The story of the donkey’s song spread across the village, reminding everyone that wisdom and self-control are more valuable than foolish pride.
Foolish pride and lack of self-control can lead to trouble. Always listen to wise advice and act at the right time.