One bright afternoon, while wandering through the forest, a donkey stumbled upon something unusual. Lying on the ground was a big, old lion’s skin. The donkey’s eyes widened with excitement as an idea popped into his head.

“If I wear this lion’s skin,” he thought, “all the animals will be terrified of me! They’ll think I’m the king of the jungle!”

Without wasting any time, the donkey draped the lion’s skin over himself. He stood tall and strutted through the woods, feeling important and powerful. As he walked, he noticed the other animals watching him. Just as he hoped, they all scattered in fear, thinking a real lion had arrived. The donkey was thrilled! His plan was working perfectly.

However, as he continued pretending to be fierce, the donkey got a bit too carried away. He opened his mouth and let out a loud, clumsy bray—his usual donkey sound. The animals stopped in their tracks, turned around, and burst into laughter.

“That’s no lion!” one animal cried. “It’s just a silly donkey in disguise!”

The donkey’s face turned red with embarrassment. He quickly realized that fooling others only worked until he revealed his true self. Pretending to be something he wasn’t didn’t make him a lion—it only made him look foolish.

With his head hung low, the donkey took off the lion’s skin and wandered back to the forest, learning a valuable lesson that day.

Moral:

Pretending to be something you’re not won’t fool everyone. It’s always better to be yourself.

Parenting Tip: Encourage your child to embrace their unique qualities and talents. Discuss why pretending to be someone else might not lead to the results they expect, and why authenticity builds stronger relationships.

Fun Questions For Curious Kids

• Why do you think the donkey wanted to pretend to be a lion?
• How do you think the animals felt when they realized it was just a donkey?
• If you found something like a lion’s skin, what would you do with it?
• Why is it important to be yourself rather than pretending to be someone else?
• Can you think of a time when you tried to act like someone else? How did it go?
• If you were in the story, what advice would you give the donkey?
• Why do you think the donkey felt embarrassed after braying?
• How do you think the donkey can feel proud of being himself next time?

Did You Know? Fun Facts About Donkeys and Lions!

1. Donkeys are smart and social: Donkeys are known for their intelligence and love forming strong bonds with their friends—both humans and other donkeys!
2. Lions are called the “King of the Jungle” but live in savannas: Despite the nickname, lions prefer open grasslands rather than dense forests.
3. Donkeys have great memories: They can remember places and other donkeys they’ve met for years!
4. Lions communicate with roars: A lion’s roar can be heard up to 5 miles away, helping them communicate with their pride.
5. Donkeys can be stubborn: They’re not just being difficult—donkeys carefully assess situations before deciding if it’s safe to proceed.
6. Lion manes show strength: Male lions with darker manes are often healthier and more dominant.
7. Donkeys have strong hooves: Their sturdy feet make them excellent for carrying loads over rocky terrain.
8. Lions are social cats: Unlike most other big cats, lions live in groups called prides.
9. Donkeys were once wild too: Donkeys originated in North Africa, where they lived freely before becoming domesticated.
10. Lion disguises are rare: In nature, animals may mimic others for safety, but donkeys trying to act like lions? That’s one for the storybooks!

Activity Idea:

“Dress-Up Fun” Game

• What You’ll Need: Various costume items like hats, scarves, masks, or animal ears.
• How to Play: Kids dress up as their favorite animals or characters and take turns acting out their roles. Discuss how pretending is fun, but it’s also important to feel confident in who they really are.
• Purpose: Teach children to balance imaginative play with self-confidence.

Download Free Coloring Pages Related To This Story

Bring the story to life with coloring pages designed to spark creativity and make story time even more fun. Coloring helps kids express their creativity, improve focus, and reinforce the story’s themes in a fun, engaging way. After reading together, let them bring the story to life with colors!

Click on any of the free coloring pages below to download or print it!