The Donkey and the Jackal's Nighttime Adventures

The Donkey and the Jackal's Nighttime Adventures

Once upon a time, in a small, quiet village, there lived a washerman and his donkey. Every day, the donkey carried heavy bags of clothes to and from the river. He worked hard, but at night, he was allowed to go into the field to eat fresh, green grass.

The donkey liked the grass very much, but he had a bad habit. Sometimes, he would sneak into the nearby farms and eat vegetables that did not belong to him. He knew he should not do this, but the vegetables looked so delicious that he could not stop himself.

One evening, while the donkey was walking near the forest, he met a jackal.

“Hello, donkey! My name is Jumpy,” said the jackal with a sly smile.

“Hello, Jumpy! I am Duffer. Would you like to be my friend?” asked the donkey.

“Yes!” said Jumpy. “I am always looking for friends who like to have fun at night.”

From that day on, the donkey and the jackal became good friends. Every night, the donkey would leave the field and go on adventures with Jumpy. They would wander through the village and the fields, eating vegetables and exploring places they had never seen before.

One night, the jackal said to the donkey, “Uncle Duffer, I found a new field. It is full of ripe, juicy cucumbers. Let’s go there tonight. You can eat as much as you like, and I can catch some small animals for my dinner.”

The donkey was very excited. “Wow! Cucumbers! I love cucumbers. Let’s go now!” he said happily.

So, that night, they sneaked into the field. The cucumbers were very big and very red. The donkey started eating quickly. The jackal ran around and found a few mice to eat.

After a while, the donkey looked at the sky. The moon was full and shining brightly. He felt very happy and wanted to sing.

“Nephew Jumpy, look at the full moon! It is so beautiful. I want to sing a song!” said the donkey.

The jackal was worried. “Uncle Duffer, wait! We are in someone’s field. If you make noise, the farmers will come and catch us!”

But the donkey did not listen. “Oh, Jumpy, you do not understand music. I want to sing. I will sing, no matter what!”

Jumpy thought for a moment. Then he said, “Okay, Uncle. I will go hide in the bushes so that I can watch for the farmers. You sing, but be careful!”

The donkey lifted his head to the moon and started braying loudly. He sang as loudly as he could, enjoying every sound.

But suddenly, there was shouting. The farmers had heard him!

“Stop! Stop! Who is in our cucumber field?” shouted one farmer.

“Catch that donkey!” another farmer yelled.

The farmers ran toward the donkey with sticks and stones. The donkey tried to run, but they hit him, and he was bruised and hurt. He limped out of the field, his tail between his legs.

The jackal came out of his hiding place and laughed. “Uncle Duffer, that was some singing! Look at how the farmers have rewarded you!”

The donkey was angry. “Jumpy! You did not tell me it was dangerous to sing!”

Jumpy shook his head. “Uncle, I warned you. There is a time and place for everything. Singing in the cucumber field was not the right time!”

The donkey felt sad and ashamed. He realized that he should have listened to his friend’s advice. From that day, he became more careful.

He no longer sneaked into the farmers’ fields to eat vegetables. He only ate the fresh grass in the field where he was allowed to graze. And he never sang loudly in the middle of the night again.

The jackal stayed his friend, but the donkey remembered the lesson he had learned. There is a time and place for everything, and listening to good advice is very important.

The donkey also learned another lesson: happiness is better when you are safe than when you are caught and hurt. He still loved cucumbers, but he decided to wait for the right time to eat them, instead of stealing them.

The donkey’s life changed. He became careful and thoughtful, and the villagers liked him even more. People started to say, “Duffer the donkey is not only strong but also wise now.”

The moral of the story is very clear: there is a time and place for everything. Always listen to good advice, and do not do things at the wrong time. Being careful can save you from trouble.

And so, the donkey and the jackal continued to be friends. They had fun together, but they always remembered the lessons of that night in the cucumber field. The donkey learned that excitement is good, but safety and patience are even better.

From that day on, the donkey lived a happy life in the village. He worked hard, ate his grass peacefully, and sometimes, he hum quietly to himself at home—but never in the farmers’ fields again.

And every night, when the moon shone brightly, he would think of the jackal and smile.

THE END


Comprehension Questions and Answers

  1. Q: Who were the main characters in the story?
    A: The main characters were the donkey, named Duffer, and the jackal, named Jumpy.

  2. Q: What job did the donkey have during the day?
    A: The donkey carried heavy bags of clothes for the washerman.

  3. Q: Where did the donkey go at night?
    A: He went to the field to eat grass and sometimes sneaked into the farmers’ fields to eat vegetables.

  4. Q: What did the jackal discover one night?
    A: The jackal discovered a field full of ripe cucumbers.

  5. Q: Why did the donkey start singing in the field?
    A: The donkey saw the full moon and felt happy, so he wanted to sing.

Critical Thinking Questions and Answers

  1. Q: Was it a good idea for the donkey to sing in the field? Why or why not?
    A: No, it was not a good idea because the farmers could hear him and he got caught and hurt.

  2. Q: How did the jackal try to help the donkey?
    A: The jackal warned him not to make noise and hid nearby to watch for farmers.

  3. Q: What would you have done if you were the donkey?
    A: (Open-ended, example answer:) I would have eaten quietly and not made noise, so I wouldn’t get caught.

Moral and Life Lesson Questions and Answers

  1. Q: What lesson did the donkey learn at the end of the story?
    A: The donkey learned that there is a time and place for everything, and it’s important to listen to advice.

  2. Q: Why is it important to listen to friends or adults when they give advice?
    A: Because they may know something you don’t, and listening can keep you safe.

  3. Q: What does the story teach us about patience?
    A: It teaches that waiting for the right time to do something is better than doing it at the wrong time and getting into trouble.

  4. Q: How can we apply this story in real life?
    A: We should think before we act, follow rules, and listen to advice to avoid problems.

Fun and Creative Questions and Answers

  1. Q: If you were the jackal, what would you have done to help the donkey?
    A: (Open-ended) I might have warned him louder or distracted the farmers.

  2. Q: Can you draw a picture of the donkey singing under the moon?
    A: (Activity-based) Kids can illustrate the scene, helping them remember the story.

  3. Q: What other animals might make good friends with a donkey? Why?
    A: (Open-ended) For example, a wise owl or a playful dog, because they can help or have fun together.



The Donkey and the Jackal's Nighttime Adventures

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