THE ASS CARRYING THE IMAGE
by Aesop · from Aesop's Fables; a new translation
Adapted Version
Once upon a time, a man had a donkey. The donkey was strong. It helped the man. The man was a Driver. He had a special job. The donkey carried a special statue. The Driver put the Statue on the Donkey. It was big and beautiful. They walked to the temple. The temple was far. The Donkey felt the heavy load. It was a long journey.
Many people saw The Driver and The Donkey. They were on the road. The people bowed their heads. They bowed to the beautiful Statue. The Driver knew this. The Donkey did not know this. The people did not bow to The Donkey. They respected the Statue.
The Donkey saw the people bow. He thought they bowed to him. He felt very important. He felt very proud. He lifted his head high. He felt like a king. He was very happy. He smiled a donkey smile.
The Donkey walked with a big strut. He puffed out his chest. He thought he was very important. He liked people looking at him. He felt like a king. He wanted more praise. He wanted more bows. He felt very grand.
Suddenly, The Donkey stopped walking. He did not want to move. He felt too important to work. He thought, "I am special!" He stood still. He refused to go on. He waited for more bows.
The Driver was very surprised. He saw The Donkey stop. The Donkey stood still. The Driver felt a little angry. He gave The Donkey a gentle tap. "Go on, Donkey!" he said. "Why do you stop? We must go to the temple."
The Driver spoke to The Donkey. "Silly Donkey," he said. "People bow to the Statue. They do not bow to you. You just carry the Statue." The Donkey understood. He felt very silly. His ears drooped. He hung his head low. He started to walk again.
The Donkey learned a big lesson. He knew he was not special. He just carried the special Statue. Do not take credit for what others do. The Driver and Donkey went to the temple. The end.
Original Story
THE ASS CARRYING THE IMAGE
A certain man put an Image on the back of his Ass to take it to one of the temples of the town. As they went along the road all the people they met uncovered and bowed their heads out of reverence for the Image; but the Ass thought they were doing it out of respect for himself, and began to give himself airs accordingly. At last he became so conceited that he imagined he could do as he liked, and, by way of protest against the load he was carrying, he came to a full stop and flatly declined to proceed any further. His driver, finding him so obstinate, hit him hard and long with his stick, saying the while, "Oh, you dunder-headed idiot, do you suppose it's come to this, that men pay worship to an Ass?"
Rude shocks await those who take to themselves the credit that is due to others.
Story DNA
Moral
Rude shocks await those who take to themselves the credit that is due to others.
Plot Summary
A man places a revered Image on his Ass to transport it to a temple. Along the way, people bow to the Image, but the Ass mistakenly believes they are bowing to him, leading to extreme conceit. His pride causes him to stop and refuse to move, prompting his driver to beat him and explain that the reverence was for the Image, not the Ass, teaching him a harsh lesson about misplaced credit.
Themes
Emotional Arc
pride to humility
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Aesop's Fables are a collection of ancient Greek stories, often featuring anthropomorphic animals, designed to convey moral lessons. The use of an 'Image' suggests a religious icon or statue.
Plot Beats (7)
- A man places a religious Image on his Ass to carry it to a temple.
- As they travel, people on the road bow their heads in reverence.
- The Ass mistakenly believes the people are bowing to him.
- The Ass becomes increasingly conceited and self-important.
- Feeling entitled, the Ass decides to stop and refuse to carry his load any further.
- The driver, frustrated by the Ass's obstinacy, beats him.
- The driver explains to the Ass that the people were worshipping the Image, not him.
Characters
★
The Ass
A sturdy, medium-sized donkey with a strong back and powerful legs, built for carrying heavy loads. Its coat is a dusty grey-brown, typical of working animals, with a slightly lighter belly and muzzle. Its ears are long and mobile, often twitching.
Attire: None, as it is an animal. It carries a wooden saddle frame or simple pack saddle upon which the Image is secured.
Wants: To be respected and admired, to feel important.
Flaw: Vanity and a lack of self-awareness; it cannot distinguish between genuine respect for itself and reverence for the object it carries.
Starts as a humble, working animal, becomes conceited due to misinterpreting external reverence, and is then brought back to reality by its driver's harsh correction.
Obedient (initially), conceited, stubborn, foolish, easily misled.
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The Man
A man of average height and build, likely with a sun-weathered complexion from working outdoors. His hands would be calloused from labor.
Attire: Simple, functional clothing typical of a common laborer or merchant in an ancient Mediterranean or Middle Eastern setting. This might include a rough linen tunic, possibly a simple cloak or vest, and sturdy leather sandals. Colors would be earthy and undyed.
Wants: To complete his task of transporting the Image to the temple efficiently.
Flaw: Impatience and a quick temper when his plans are thwarted.
Remains consistent throughout the story, serving as the voice of reason and delivering the moral lesson.
Practical, observant, short-tempered, firm, realistic.
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The Image
A religious statue or idol, likely carved from wood or stone and possibly adorned with gold leaf, paint, or precious stones. It would be substantial enough to be a significant load for a donkey.
Attire: None, as it is an object, but it might be draped in fine cloths or adorned with offerings.
Wants: None.
Flaw: None.
Remains an unchanging catalyst for the Ass's delusion.
None, as it is an inanimate object.
Locations
Road to the Temple
A dusty, sun-baked road leading towards a town, likely in ancient Greece or Rome, with people traveling along it. The road is wide enough for an ass and its driver, and probably unpaved.
Mood: Initially reverent and bustling with travelers, later becoming tense and frustrated.
The Ass carries the Image, receives bows from passersby, and becomes conceited, eventually stopping.