The Donkey in the Lion’s Skin
A Donkey finds a Lion’s skin, dresses up in it and frightens every animal that passes, until he is so pleased with himself that he lets out a loud bray. The Fox laughs at him, and his owner pulls off the skin and leads the silly Donkey home.
Scene 1: A Lion’s Skin
The Donkey in the Lion’s Skin. One morning, a Donkey found a Lion’s skin left in the forest by a hunter. It hung over an old log, drying in the sun. The Donkey had an idea. He dressed himself in it, from his nose to his tail.
Scene 2: Everyone Ran
Then he hid in a thicket, and waited. When the animals passed that way, he rushed out at them suddenly! All took to their heels the moment they saw him. The Sheep ran, the Hare ran, and a Fox ran with the rest.
Scene 3: King Lion
The Donkey was so pleased to see the animals running away from him. He stood on the hill in the evening sun, just as if he were King Lion himself. He could not keep from showing his delight. He lifted his head and gave a loud, harsh bray: “Hee-haw! Hee-haw!”
Scene 4: The Fox Laughs
The Fox stopped short as soon as he heard that voice. He came up to the Donkey, and he said with a laugh: “If you had kept your mouth shut, you might have frightened me, too. But you gave yourself away with that silly bray!”
Scene 5: Home Again
Then the Donkey’s owner came up the path. He knew that bray, too. He pulled off the Lion’s skin, and he led the silly Donkey home. A fool may deceive by his dress and appearance, but his words will soon show what he really is.
Moral: A fool may deceive by his dress and appearance, but his words will soon show what he really is.
Questions about The Donkey in the Lion’s Skin
What did the Donkey find in the forest?
A Lion’s skin.
Where did the Donkey hide before he rushed out at the animals?
In a thicket.
Which animal ran with the rest and then came back?
The Fox.
What gave the Donkey away?
His loud bray.
Who led the Donkey home at the end?
His owner.
More stories to read aloud
- The Lion and the Mouse — A Lion catches a little Mouse but laughs and lets her go when she promises to repay him.
- The Hare and the Tortoise — A boastful Hare laughs at the slow Tortoise, so the Tortoise challenges him to a race.
- Belling the Cat — The Mice hold a council and a young Mouse has a clever plan: hang a bell about the Cat’s neck.