Once upon a time, there was a big farm. On this farm lived a donkey, a lapdog, and their master. The farmer was very fond of his lapdog. The dog knew many tricks. He made the farmer laugh.
The donkey worked very hard for his master. He wanted to please the farmer. But the farmer did not notice. "I wish I didn’t have to work so hard," said the donkey. "The dog does nothing but the farmer still loves him. I wish I could do nothing."
Of course, the donkey had a warm stable to sleep in. He had lots of food to eat and water to drink. The farmer made sure the donkey was as comfortable as any other donkey. But the donkey was still jealous of the dog. The donkey wanted to live inside the house with the farmer. He wanted to sit around and do nothing, just like the dog.
One day, the donkey decided to quit being a donkey. "I am going to be just like the dog," said the donkey. "Then the farmer will love me as much as he loves the dog."
The donkey ran into his master’s house. He tried to remember what the dog did. The donkey tried to chase his tail like the dog. Then he jumped up and down like the dog.
"Where is the farmer?" wondered the donkey.
"No, no . . . no!" shouted the farmer.
The donkey jumped up and landed on the farmer’s lap. Then he licked the farmer’s face, just like the dog. The donkey waited for the farmer to pet him on the head or give him a special treat. But instead of a treat, the donkey got a big surprise.
"What a crazy donkey!" shouted the farmer, as he smacked the donkey on its head.
From that day on, the farmer made the donkey work harder and harder. "I’m so miserable," cried the donkey. "Why did I ever want to be like the dog?" he wailed.
It is better to be happy with what you have than to take something you are not fit to receive.