The Donkey and the Dog story teaches children an important life lesson—we should never try to be someone we are not. Every person, just like every animal, has a unique role and purpose.
This short animal story for kids shows what happens when we try to copy others instead of doing our own duties sincerely. Through this story, children learn that doing the right job in the right way brings peace, while copying others can lead to trouble.
Let’s read this fun and meaningful moral story for kids together.
The Donkey and the Dog Story (Summary in English)
Once upon a time, there lived a washerman in a village. He owned two faithful animals—a dog and a donkey.
- The dog guarded the house at night.
- The donkey carried heavy loads of clothes during the day.
Both animals helped their owner in their own special ways and lived peacefully together.
The Brave Dog Saves the Day
One dark night, a group of thieves quietly entered the washerman’s house.
The dog heard their footsteps and immediately began to bark loudly.
“Woof! Woof! Woof!”
His barking was so fierce that:
- The thieves got scared
- The neighbours woke up
- Everyone rushed out of their houses
The thieves were caught red-handed and punished.
The washerman and the neighbours were very happy and praised the dog for his bravery.
The Donkey Feels Jealous
The donkey quietly watched everything.
He thought,
“Everyone is praising the dog. I also want appreciation. I can do the same thing!”
The donkey forgot that guarding the house was not his duty.
The Donkey Makes a Mistake
A few nights later, the thieves returned again. This time, they saw the dog awake and quietly ran away without entering the house.
The donkey saw this and thought,
“If I make noise, my master will know that I scared the thieves!”
So, the donkey began to bray loudly:
“Eee-aaaw! Eee-aaaw!”
Trouble Instead of Praise
The washerman woke up in anger.
“Why is this donkey making noise in the middle of the night?” he shouted.
Thinking the donkey was being naughty, the washerman picked up a stick and beat the poor donkey.
The donkey was shocked and confused.
“I was trying to help,” he thought sadly.
Instead of praise, he received pain.
The Dog’s Wise Advice
Seeing the donkey hurt and upset, the dog came to him gently and said:
“Dear friend, it is better to do your own duty well than trying to copy someone else.
You are not a guard like me, and I cannot carry loads like you.
Everyone is special in their own way.”
The donkey understood his mistake and promised never to copy others again.
From that day on, both animals lived happily and peacefully, doing their own work sincerely.
Moral of the Donkey and the Dog Story
Moral:
Do not try to be someone you are not. Do your own duty well.
This story teaches children:
- To be confident in who they are
- Not to copy others
- To respect different roles
- To understand that every job is important
What Kids Learn from This Story
Importance of self-identity
Value of responsibility
Avoid jealousy and imitation
Everyone has unique strengths
Note to Parents
This animal moral story for kids helps children understand human behavior in a simple and enjoyable way. Reading stories like The Donkey and the Dog:
- Improves reading habits
- Builds attention span
- Encourages self-confidence
- Strengthens parent-child bonding
Parents are encouraged to read this story aloud with their children and discuss the moral afterward.
FAQs on The Donkey and the Dog Story
1. Who is the author of this story?
Joan Tate is the author of The Donkey and the Dog.
2. What mistake did the donkey make?
The donkey tried to copy the dog instead of doing his own duty.
3. Why did the dog advise the donkey?
Because the donkey was punished for copying, and the dog wanted him to understand his true role.
Final Thought
The Donkey and the Dog is a timeless moral story for children that teaches an important lesson—being yourself is always the best choice. This story is perfect for school lessons, bedtime reading, essays, and worksheets.