The Ass and the Lap Dog

The Ass and the Lap Dog is a fable by Aesop concerning a farm ass observing the affectionate relationship between its master and the master's lap dog. Inspired by the dog's treatment, the ass attempts to imitate the dog's playful behavior in a comedic and clumsy fashion, expecting to receive similar affection. However, his efforts backfire, leaving the ass humiliated and injured. The book delivers a timeless moral lesson about the importance of being oneself rather than trying to be what one is not.

• Children

								
There was once an Ass whose Master also owned a Lap Dog. This Dog
was a favorite and received many a pat and kind word from his
Master, as well as choice bits from his plate. Every day the Dog
would run to meet the Master, frisking playfully about and
leaping up to lick his hands and face.

All this the Ass saw with much discontent. Though he was well
fed, he had much work to do; besides, the Master hardly ever took
any notice of him.

Now the jealous Ass got it into his silly head that all he had to
do to win his Master's favor was to act like the Dog. So one day
he left his stable and clattered eagerly into the house.

Finding his Master seated at the dinner table, he kicked up his
heels and, with a loud bray, pranced giddily around the table,
upsetting it as he did so. Then he planted his forefeet on his
Master's knees and rolled out his tongue to lick the Master's
face, as he had seen the Dog do. But his weight upset the chair,
and Ass and man rolled over together in the pile of broken dishes
from the table.


The Master was much alarmed at the strange behavior of the Ass,
and calling for help, soon attracted the attention of the
servants. When they saw the danger the Master was in from the
clumsy beast, they set upon the Ass and drove him with kicks and
blows back to the stable. There they left him to mourn the
foolishness that had brought him nothing but a sound beating.

Behavior that is regarded as agreeable in one is very rude and
impertinent in another.

Do not try to gain favor by acting in a way that is contrary to
your own nature and character.
								Rate this book:0.0 / 0 votes