Why the Dog Barks at the Donkey

The Dog and the Donkey both served the same master. The Dog’s job was to guard the house at night, and the Donkey’s job was to carry loads to the market. The master fed the Dog well, giving him scraps from his own plate, because he was a good guard. The Donkey grew jealous. "It's not fair," the Donkey complained to the other animals. "I work hard all day, carrying heavy loads under the hot sun, and I only get hay. The Dog just sleeps in the shade and gets the best food." One night, a thief came to the master's house. The Dog saw him but decided to teach the Donkey a lesson. "I will be quiet," the Dog thought. "Let the Donkey, who is so clever, guard the house tonight." The Donkey saw the thief breaking in. "Aha!" he thought. "This is my chance to prove my worth." Instead of barking like the Dog, he decided to make the loudest noise he could. He began to bray, "Hee-haw! Hee-haw!" as loudly as possible. The master woke up, not to the sound of a warning, but to a terrible, annoying noise. He grabbed a big stick, ran outside, and saw the Donkey braying for no apparent reason. Annoyed at being woken up, he beat the Donkey soundly, shouting, "You useless animal, be quiet!" The thief, hearing the commotion, had already run away. The Donkey was left bruised and confused. The Dog, watching from the shadows, wagged his tail. From that day forward, the Dog always barks when he sees a Donkey, as if to say, "Remember the night you tried to do my job? Stick to your own work!"