Aesop's Fables, Part 178 summary
Part 178 of 284 · 1 min to read the part
In The Ass and the Mule, a loaded Donkey asks the Mule for help on a steep road, but the Mule refuses and the Donkey falls to his death. The driver transfers the dead animal’s load and hide to the Mule, who recognizes that his refusal brings him greater hardship.
What happens
- A man loads his Donkey and Mule and takes them on a journey.
- On a rough, steep road, the exhausted Donkey asks the Mule to carry part of his load, but the Mule refuses.
- The Donkey stumbles down a slope and dies.
- The distressed driver puts the Donkey’s load and hide onto the Mule.
- Struggling under the extra weight, the Mule admits that helping earlier would spare him this heavier burden.
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In this part
What to notice
The Mule accepts responsibility for his hardship. His refusal to carry a small share leaves him carrying the entire load and the hide.
Quick check
What does the driver add to the Mule’s load after the Donkey dies?
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