The Donkey

Name: The Donkey
Author: Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm

A poor man's donkey dies after being overworked, but before it dies, it curses its owner and his family, causing them to be plagued by misfortune and poverty. The curse is eventually broken when the owner's son shows kindness to a beggar who turns out to be the spirit of the donkey.

By Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm · First published 1815 · Genre: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Children's Literature · 1,588 words

First lines

Once on a time there lived a King and a Queen, who were rich, and had everything they wanted, but no children. The Queen lamented over this day and night, and said, "I am like a field on which nothing grows. " At last God gave her her wish, but when the child came into the world, it did not look like a human child, but was a little donkey. When the mother saw that, her lamentations and outcries began in real earnest; she said she would far rather have had no child at all than have a donkey, and that they were to throw it into the water that the fishes might devour it. But the King said, "No, since God has sent him he shall be my son and heir, and after my death sit on the royal throne, and wear the kingly crown. " The donkey, therefore, was brought up and grew bigger, and his ears grew up beautifully high and straight. He was, however, of a merry disposition, jumped about, played and had especial pleasure in music, so that he went to a celebrated musician and said, "Teach me thine art, that I may play the lute as well as thou dost. " "Ah, dear little master," answered the musician, "that would come very hard to you, your fingers are certainly not suited to it, and are far too big. I am afraid the strings would not last. " No excuses were of any use. The donkey was determined to play the lute; he was persevering and industrious, and at last learnt to do it as well as the master himself. The young lordling once went out walking full of thought and came to a well, he looked into it and in the mirror-clear water saw his donkey's form. He was so distressed about it, that he went out into the wide world and only took with him one faithful companion.

What this Textopian page supports

The Donkey is listed on Textopian as a fable by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, dated 1815 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Fable
Author: Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
Date: 1815 CE
Language: English
Genres: Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Children's Literature, Folklore, Romance
Length: 1,588 words
Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

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Similar titles

Genres

Fairy Tale — The story features magical elements, royalty, and a moral lesson, typical of fairy tales.
Fantasy — The narrative includes fantastical transformations and mythical creatures, such as a donkey that is actually a prince.
Children's Literature — The simple language, moral undertones, and fantastical elements make it suitable for children.
Folklore — The story is part of a collection of traditional tales passed down through generations.