Once upon a time, in a cozy little house on a farm, there lived a playful little lapdog and a hardworking donkey. The lapdog was small and fluffy, and everyone in the house loved to cuddle it. Whenever the lapdog would jump into the owner’s lap, it got all the attention—belly rubs, scratches behind the ears, and even little treats. The donkey, who worked hard all day carrying heavy loads and helping around the farm, watched from outside the window and felt a bit jealous.

“I work so hard every day,” the donkey thought. “But no one rubs my belly or gives me treats. Why does the lapdog get all the love and attention? Maybe if I act like the lapdog, I’ll get the same treatment!”

The donkey was determined to give it a try. The next day, when the owner came home, the donkey tried to copy the lapdog. He trotted into the house, which was already a tight fit for his large body. He tried to jump up onto the owner’s lap, just like the lapdog, but he was so heavy that the chair creaked and nearly tipped over!

“Stop that, donkey!” the owner shouted in surprise, but the donkey wasn’t done. He tried barking like the lapdog, but instead, he let out a loud bray that echoed through the whole house, scaring the cat and making the dishes on the table wobble.

The donkey knocked over furniture, stepped on the owner’s foot by mistake, and caused a big mess. The owner and the other animals stared at the donkey, not knowing what to do with him. “What has gotten into you, donkey?” the owner said, shaking his head.

Feeling embarrassed and confused, the donkey stood there, realizing that acting like the lapdog wasn’t such a good idea after all. He wasn’t small and fluffy like the lapdog, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t fit on anyone’s lap or bark like a dog.

The lapdog, who had been watching from its spot on the floor, walked over and gave the donkey a friendly nuzzle. “You don’t have to act like me,” the lapdog said. “Everyone has their own special place. You’re strong and helpful on the farm, and that’s just as important as being a lapdog.”

The donkey nodded slowly, understanding the truth in those words. He might not get belly rubs or sit on laps, but he did things no one else could do—like carrying heavy loads and working hard to help his owner. The donkey learned that he didn’t need to be like the lapdog to feel special. He was important just as he was.

From that day on, the donkey stopped trying to act like someone else. Instead, he embraced his own strengths, and in time, he realized how much everyone appreciated the hard work he did. And even though he didn’t get lap cuddles, the owner always gave him a friendly pat on the back after a long day of work.

Moral:

Be yourself, and don’t try to imitate others. We all have our own special qualities, and being true to who we are is what makes us important.

Parenting Tip: Encourage your child to embrace their unique qualities and avoid comparing themselves to others. Teach them that everyone has different strengths, and their value isn’t diminished by not being like someone else.

Fun Questions for Curious Kids:

• Why do you think the donkey wanted to act like the lapdog?
• What happened when the donkey tried to jump on the owner’s lap?
• How would you comfort the donkey if you were his friend?
• Can you think of something special about yourself that makes you different from others?
• Why do you think it’s important to be yourself and not try to copy others?
• What do you think the lapdog meant when it said, “Everyone has their own special place”?
• If you were the owner, how would you show the donkey he is appreciated?
• What do you think makes the lapdog and the donkey good friends?

Did You Know? Fun Facts About Donkeys and Dogs

1. Donkeys have an incredible memory and can remember places and other donkeys they met over 25 years ago!
2. They are known for their strength and can carry heavy loads in difficult terrain.
3. Despite their reputation, donkeys are very social animals and enjoy companionship.
4. A donkey’s loud bray can be heard up to 60 miles away in the right conditions.
5. Dogs have been domesticated for over 20,000 years and were among the first animals to live alongside humans.
6. A dog’s sense of smell is 10,000 to 100,000 times stronger than a human’s, making them excellent trackers.
7. Small dogs, like lapdogs, were historically bred to keep humans warm or to serve as companions to royalty.
8. Dogs communicate not only by barking but also through their body language, such as wagging tails and ear positions.

Activity Idea:

Draw and Compare!

• Draw the donkey and the lapdog side by side. Label their special qualities—for example, the donkey’s strength and the lapdog’s playfulness. Discuss with your child how being different makes them unique and special!

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!