Animal Story

THE LAZY DONKEY 

Mamboo was a donkey. He belonged to Ramu, the washerman. Mamboo was very lazy. Often when Ramu called him, he pretended to be sick. Sometimes Ramu beat him. But Mamboo loved slipping and did not care if he was beaten. One day Ramu had to take a heap of clothes to the river to wash. Mamboo knew Ramu would load the clothes on his back. Quietly , he escaped from the courtyard. He found a lonely place far from the house. He slept there under a mango tree.

While Mamboo was sleeping, a dust storm blew up. The strong wind raised dust all round. The wind blew so hard that mangoes fell from the tree to the ground. One mango hit Mamboo on the head. He opened his eyes, then slept again. The wind blew hard carrying along many things. An empty tin hit Mamboo’s back. Startled, he sat up to see what was happening. He looked around. Dust got into his eyes. Then he saw some animals running in the direction of the wind. He stopped a cow and asked, “Why are you all running?”

“Don’t you see the dust storm? We are going home to take shelter.” Mamboo stood up. He too wanted to go home. But he was afraid Ramu would beat him. Now the dust was hurting his eyes. It also got into his nostrils. He started sneezing. With great difficulty he walked back to Ramu’s house. Mamboo waited to hear harsh words from Ramu. He trembled with fear. But Ramu patted his back and said, “Ah, you are back! I was so worried!” “Dhenchu! Dhenchu!” Mamboo brayed happily. He decided never to be lazy again.