The Donkey in the Lion's Skin

Donkey stared into the pond.
“Grey is boring,” he said.

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“No-one pays any attention to me.
I wish I had stripes like Zebra,

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or a graceful neck like Giraffe.”

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Donkey sighed. He said, “I wish I had
Leopard’s spots.

Then everyone would admire me.”

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Donkey dawdled home, still dreaming of
being another animal. Outside a house was a

rug made of a lion’s skin.
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Donkey grinned.
He wrapped himself in the lion’s skin.

The mane covered his face.

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Donkey strutted proudly along.
Chickens and roosters scattered.

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Dogs cowered on their bellies.
Cats hissed in fear.

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Children shrieked and ran away.

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Now everyone notices me, Donkey thought.
I am powerful, like a king,
and I get lots of attention.

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Only Fox slunk behind Donkey, keeping low.
Into the middle of his village,
Donkey swaggered.

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The villagers stared at his golden coat, and
fell to their knees on the ground. “Mighty one,

please spare our lives,” begged the chief.

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Donkey felt so pleased and proud! 13
He opened his mouth to reply.

Out flew a loud hee-haw, hee-haw!

Fox laughed aloud. He said,
“Foolish Donkey, no one thinks you are a lion
now. It is always best to just be yourself.”

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Donkey fled back to the pond. He realized he
had beautiful brown eyes, lovely soft fur, and

a strong back that took children for rides.
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Fox is right, Donkey thought.
I will be content with being myself.

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