THE ASS and THE DOG
by Aesop · from Aesop's Fables; a new translation
Adapted Version
Donkey and Dog were friends. They walked on a road. They went on a trip. The sun was warm. They felt happy. They liked to walk. They saw many things. They talked a bit. They were good friends. They liked to travel.
They walked and walked. Then they saw a new thing. It was on the ground. It was a small packet. The packet was sealed tight. It looked special. Donkey stopped. Dog stopped too. "What is it?" Dog asked. Donkey looked at it well. It was brown paper. It lay in the dirt. It looked old.
Donkey bent his head down. He picked up the packet. He held it in his mouth. He looked at the red seal. It was made of wax. Donkey broke the seal. He opened the packet. Inside was paper. There was much writing on it. Donkey began to read. He read it out loud. Dog listened well. Donkey liked to read. He held the paper.
Donkey read about green grass. He read about sweet barley. He read about soft hay. "Oh, good!" Donkey said. He loved these foods very much. He
Original Story
THE ASS AND THE DOG
An Ass and a Dog were on their travels together, and, as they went along, they found a sealed packet lying on the ground. The Ass picked it up, broke the seal, and found it contained some writing, which he proceeded to read out aloud to the Dog. As he read on it turned out to be all about grass and barley and hay—in short, all the kinds of fodder that Asses are fond of. The Dog was a good deal bored with listening to all this, till at last his impatience got the better of him, and he cried, "Just skip a few pages, friend, and see if there isn't something about meat and bones." The Ass glanced all through the packet, but found nothing of the sort, and said so. Then the Dog said in disgust, "Oh, throw it away, do: what's the good of a thing like that?"
Story DNA
Moral
What is useless to one may be useful to another, and people only value things that cater to their own interests.
Plot Summary
An Ass and a Dog find a sealed packet during their travels. The Ass opens it and reads aloud, discovering the contents are all about fodder, which he enjoys. The Dog, bored, asks him to find something about meat and bones instead. When the Ass finds nothing of the sort, the Dog, disgusted, tells him to throw the packet away, as it holds no value for him.
Themes
Emotional Arc
neutral to mild frustration
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Aesop's Fables are ancient Greek stories, often short, featuring animals, and conveying a moral lesson.
Plot Beats (8)
- An Ass and a Dog are traveling companions.
- They discover a sealed packet on the ground during their journey.
- The Ass picks up the packet, breaks the seal, and begins to read its contents aloud.
- The writing is entirely about grass, barley, and hay—foods that donkeys enjoy.
- The Dog becomes increasingly bored and impatient listening to the Ass read about fodder.
- The Dog interrupts, asking the Ass to skip pages to find content about meat and bones.
- The Ass quickly scans the rest of the packet but confirms there is nothing of interest to the Dog.
- The Dog, in disgust, tells the Ass to discard the packet, deeming it worthless.
Characters
★
The Ass
A sturdy, medium-sized donkey with a strong, muscular build, typical of a working animal. His coat is a uniform dusty grey, with slightly lighter fur on his belly and muzzle. His legs are thick and end in dark, hard hooves. He stands about 4 feet tall at the shoulder.
Attire: None, as he is an animal. His natural coat is his only covering.
Wants: To understand and consume information relevant to his own needs and desires (food).
Flaw: Self-centeredness; inability to empathize with or consider the interests of others.
Does not change significantly; remains focused on his own interests.
Diligent, studious, self-absorbed, somewhat oblivious to others' interests, practical.
◆
The Dog
A medium-sized, lean dog, possibly a hunting or working breed, with a sleek, short-haired coat, perhaps a brindle or light brown color. He is agile and energetic, standing about 2 feet tall at the shoulder.
Attire: None, as he is an animal. His natural coat is his only covering.
Wants: To find immediate gratification and information relevant to his own survival and pleasure (meat and bones).
Flaw: Lack of patience; quick to dismiss anything not directly beneficial to him.
Does not change significantly; remains focused on his own immediate desires.
Impatient, pragmatic, self-interested, easily bored, direct.
Locations
Winding Country Road
A dusty, unpaved road traversing open countryside, likely with sparse vegetation along its edges.
Mood: mundane, ordinary, slightly tedious
The Ass and the Dog are traveling and discover a sealed packet.