The Ass Carrying an Image – Aesop’s Fables
Those who love Aesop’s Fables might know the story of the “The Ass Carrying an Image“. The Ass Carrying an Image is numbered 182 in the Perry Index. It is having a background of human conceit. It is the story of an ass which is carrying an image of God and everyone is throwing flowers at the image. The donkey foolishly thinks that everyone is worshipping him…..
Story:
Once upon a time, there was a great festival in a temple. Thousands of people had come to see an image of God and were waiting in the streets. A Donkey was adorned in garlands and jewels and flowers and everything beautiful. On its back was a saddle and the saddle carried the image.
The devotees, the priests, the pages and the courtiers followed the donkey. The people and the priests threw flowers on the image. Many people fell on their knees and prayed to the image as the donkey crossed them.
The Donkey was very stupid and thought that the honour was for him. He held his head high and walked proudly. He thought that they were kneeling down for him. He thought that they were showering flowers on him. He thought that they were cheering for him.
The Donkey stopped and perked his ears, and brayed loudly. Much as the people behind coxed the Donkey, he did not move.
“BRAAAAAAAAY! BRAAAAAAAAY!”
He was too proud and thought that everyone was here to worship him and he could do as he wanted.
The owner of the donkey understood what had happed and hit the donkey hard on its back with a sharp stick. The donkey howled in pain.
The owner said, “Go on, you stupid donkey. The honour was for the image and not for yourself.”
Moral of the story:
“Do not try to take the credit to yourself that is due to others.”
Other stories which you can read
| The Dog and the Hides |
| The Cock, The Dog and the Fox |
| The Farmer and the Snake |
| The Farmer and the Stork |
| The Cat and the Birds |
Questions on “The Ass Carrying an Image“
- Who are the main characters of the story?
- What was the donkey doing?
- Why did the donkey think?
- What happened at the end of the story?
- What is the moral of the story?
Answers:
- The main characters of the story is a donkey
- The donkey was adorned in garlands and jewels and flowers and everything beautiful. On its back was a saddle and the saddle carried the image of God.
- The Donkey was very stupid and thought that the honour was for him. He held his head high and walked proudly. He thought that they were kneeling down for him. He thought that they were showering flowers on him. He thought that they were cheering for him.
- The owner of the donkey understood what had happed and hit the donkey hard on its back with a sharp stick. The donkey howled in pain.
- The moral of the Aesop’s Fable is that “Do not try to take the credit to yourself that is due to others.”
The Ass Carrying an Image – PDF
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