The miller his son and the donkey is one of Aesop’s fables optimized here for learning English with stories and improving vocabulary in real context.
Source of story: Gutenberg Project at www.gutenberg.org
Podcast of the Miller His Son and the Donkey
The Miller His Son and the Donkey
A miller and his son were driving their donkey to a neighboring fair to sell him. They had not gone far when they met with a troop of women collected round a well, talking and laughing.
“Look there,” cried one of them, “did you ever see such fellows, to be trudging along the road on foot when they might ride?”
The old man hearing this, quickly made his son mount the donkey, and continued to walk along merrily by his side.
Presently they came up to a group of old men in earnest debate. “There,” said one of them, “it proves what I was saying. What respect is shown to old age in these days?
Do you see that idle lad riding while his old father has to walk? Get down, you young scapegrace, and let the old man rest his weary limbs.”
Upon this the old man made his son dismount, and got up himself. In this manner they had not proceeded far when they met a company of women and children:
“Why, you lazy old fellow,” cried several tongues at once, “how can you ride upon the beast, while that poor little lad there can hardly keep pace by the side of you?”
The good-natured miller immediately took up his son behind him. They had now almost reached the town.
“Pray, honest friend,” said a citizen, “is that donkey your own?” “Yes,” replied the old man. “O, one would not have thought so,” said the other, “by the way you load him. Why, you two fellows are better able to carry the poor beast than he you.”
“Anything to please you,” said the old man; “we can but try.” So, alighting with his son, they tied the legs of the donkey together and with the help of a pole endeavored to carry him on their shoulders over a bridge near the entrance to the town.
This entertaining sight brought the people in crowds to laugh at it, till the donkey, not liking the noise nor the strange handling that he was subject to, broke the cords that bound him and, tumbling off the pole, fell into the river.
Upon this, the old man, vexed and ashamed, made the best of his way home again, convinced that by endeavoring to please everybody he had pleased nobody, and lost his donkey in the bargain.
Persian version of the story
To study the Persian version of this story, click here.
Questions for discussion
- The story follows the miller and his son constantly changing how they use the donkey. Why do they keep changing their approach, and what does this tell us about the people they meet on their journey?
- Besides losing the donkey, what is the consequence of the miller trying to please everyone he encounters?
- Imagine the miller ignored the comments entirely. How might the journey have been different, and would they have been more successful in selling the donkey?
Task 1 : The old Men and his son changed their path every time they met people which also draws attention to the fact that they pay attention to their reputation as people so their are intrested what other people thing of them and they are in a good frame.
Task 2 : Everyone knows he is easy to be impressed which makes him weak so everyone will exploit him sometimes.
Task 3 : Yes, I’m sure he would been successful to sell his donkey because he would be more careful to them and not look like he is naiv but this lesson will give him a good Experience so as not to do this again.
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1. These are not tasks. They’re simply some questions for discussion.
2. old men = old man (singular vs. plural)
3. their are intrested what other people thing of them = they are interested in what other people think of them
4. he would been successful = he would be successful
5. naiv = naive
6. more careful to them = more careful about them / take good care of them