The musical donkey

       

      There was once a dhobi (washerman) who lived in a small village. He had a donkey to help him carry cloths to the tank for washing everyday. The donkey was weak and lean. The dhobi could not afford to feed him well. Yet he made the donkey  carry heavy loads of clothes everyday. However, at night, the donkey was given full freedom by his owner and was allowed to go out and roam about at his own sweet will.
                             One evening, the donkey met a jackal. They became good friends and wandered together in search of food and fun. Once they strayed into a farm full of ripe and tasty cucumbers. They entered the farm and ate as much as they could. In the darkness of the night, nobody noticed them.
                              Their success on the first night made them bolder. Now the two began to visit the farm every night. Both ate to their hearts' content. But the donkey always had a heavier dinner. He soon became stout and fat.
                              "Oh, please don't sing, uncle," said the jackal. "For God's sake, please don't. The farmers will hear you. They will rush out of their homes, catch us and beat us." We are thieves here. Why don't you realise this?"
                           

  But the donkey was in no mood to listen to the jackal's advice. "You are jealous of my melodious voice," he said. "But a petty-minded fellow like you can't stop me. I shall do as I please." So saying, he started to sing at the top of his voice. This frightened the jackal who fled from the scene at once.
                              The farmers heard the loud braying of the donkey. They soon came out of their houses and rushed to the farm, armed with heavy sticks and iron rods. The donkey was still 'singing' to glory when they reached there. They caught the donkey and beat him black and blue. The poor donkey collapsed in the field. Then the farmers left the place.

                              The donkey was badly bruised and shaken. He dragged himself out of the farm with great difficulty. The jackal was waiting for him outside the gate of the field.
                              "Congratulations, uncle!" he said to the donkey. "Even the farmers love your music."
                              "Don't tease me, nephew," said the donkey. "I have been punished for not listening to you!"