This retelling of the Aesop Fable: The Miller, His Son, and the Donkey is written by a former Barton client, who is now an IEW client. He loves inserting conversation, adding humor, and an unexpected ending. Enjoy!

Kylen Engram May 18, 2022

Vernon and Pip’s Donkey Adventure

Once upon a time in the Dark Ages, there lived a boy, Pip, and his father, Vernon, and a really old donkey named Bruce. They lived in the country. They had a successful farm, which grew greens and raised livestock. While the sun was rising, Vernon woke up next to his demanding wife.

Gracefully, this morning she demanded “Vernon take that donkey to the market and make a trade,” because she wanted to get Vernon out of the house.

Yawning, Vernon stared outside and observed Pip playing peacefully in the sun without a shirt.

Vernon yelled, “Go get Bruce! It’s that time.”

Vernon noticed a tear roll down Pip’s face.

Pip replied, “I don’t want him to die.”

Vernon and Pip dissatisfiedly and sadly saddled up Bruce and headed out on the rocky road to market, which was on the other side of town.

Shortly after they proceeded down the road, they gazed at an old man tiredly carrying his groceries down the street.

From across the road, the old man scolded Pip, “Let your Father ride the donkey. He’s taken care of you all your life. You should be returning the favor. Don’t be like my grandkids.” He began to cry.

Pip replied, “We weren’t riding him, because we wanted him fresh for market.”

The old man, who was bald, stared blankly into the soul of Pip, and demanded, “I don’t care. Get your Father on that Donkey.”

Pip and Vernon obliged and continued down the road again for two hours. When the donkey was walking, they noticed three lanky, yet graceful and motherly women carrying vegetables.

Walking along the road, the three women hollered, “That’s a crime the father is on the donkey. The donkey should only be carrying the little boy.”

So once again, they complied and Vernon hopped off of Bruce. Pip jumped on, and Bruce appeared as if he were in excruciating pain.

So once more with Pip on Bruce, they continued on their way down to the market. Suddenly, they spotted three wealthy merchants. Bruce casually passed the merchants, and Vernon heard them laughing.

Vernon, wanting to be included, exclaimed, “Why are you guys laughing at us?”

The merchants turned around and replied, “Because we find it awfully humorous that you both aren’t on that donkey rather than you switching back and forth.”

Vernon and Pip panickily puzzled at each other and Vernon hopped on board. Bruce started sweating. His legs were about to break. For the very last time, they continued on their boring journey to the market. Pip peered at Vernon with tiredness in his eyes.

Vernon calmly exerted, “Don’t worry son. It will all be over soon.”

Bruce passed by a person selling hides.

The salesman gasped, “Why would you do that to that poor donkey? You two should be ashamed of yourselves.”

Vernon questioned, “What are you talking about?”

The salesman replied with anger in his tone, “ You two should get off that donkey if you are taking it to market, and let its last few hours be memorable and not filled with exhaustion. You two should carry it.”

Vernon stared in anger and exclaimed, “Okay! Fine!”

They both hopped off and carried the donkey on their backs. For the last time, they are back on their way to the market. As they walked, Vernon and Pip became exhausted. Vernon realized there was a shortcut to the market.

Vernon stated, “Let’s head over there.”

Vernon pointed at a rickety bridge.

Pip responded, “I don’t know about that one Dad.”

Vernon, Pip, and Bruce stepped foot onto the rickety bridge.

Pip questioned, “Are you sure this is stable?”

Suddenly, they hear a crack, but it was too late. Bruce fell through the broken bridge. Pip and Vernon fell into the pond below too.

In the water, Pip shouted, “I am done! I’m going home. The pond can keep this donkey.”

Vernon relieved and suddenly agreed, “Let’s go home.”

Calmly, Bruce sat in the pond, which was a mucky green, questioning what happened. Strolling down the path, there was a tall man that wandered by and then willingly walked near him and stared at him.

As he relaxed, a comforting voice reassured Bruce, “Don’t be scared my animal. Thou I shall take care of you. I saw this happen when I was in Heaven and came to save you. Come now my donkey for this new life you shall live. Before I taketh you, you now look like a common donkey. Do you want spots of your own color?”

Bruce made joyful donkey noises.

“I see. You shall have gray dapples all over your back.”

And they strolled strongly, happily, and contentedly off into the sunset.

Pip and Vernon had a great adventure with their donkey and learned never try to please everyone.