The Ass and His Driver
An Ass was being driven along a road leading down the mountainside, when he suddenly took it into his silly head to choose his path.
He could see his stall at the foot of the mountain, and to him, the quickest way down seemed to be over the edge of the nearest cliff.
Just as he was about to leap over, his master caught him by the tail and tried to pull him back, but the stubborn Ass would not yield and pulled with all his might.
“Very well,” said his master, “go your way, you willful beast, and see where it leads you.”
With that, he let go, and the foolish Ass tumbled head over heels down the mountainside.
Moral of the story
Listen to wise advice: It’s important to listen to those who know better.
Stubbornness can lead to trouble.
Questions for the children
- What do you think would have happened if the Ass had listened to his master?
- Can you share a time when listening to someone wiser helped you?
Post Note: This story is based on Aesop’s fable, written around 600 BC. In this retelling, we’ve used simpler words to make the story easier for young readers to understand.
