Welcome to Homeschool Story Time: Week 8.
Today’s story is about a donkey named Jack who is sold to a new owner.
At first he is very lonely in his new home.
However, something Jack does changes his circumstances forever.
Keep reading to find out what happens.
Lonely Jack
by B. Watson
Who do you suppose Jack was? Not a boy, nor a dog, nor a horse, nor a parrot. He was a fat little donkey, who lived on a large farm with thirteen other donkeys, all fat too, and they had nothing to do all day long but eat and be happy.
Jack thought there never before had been such fortunate creatures as they were, and did not dream of separation from his dear friends. But one day a man came up with a rope, and, before the donkeys knew what he was doing, threw it over poor little Jack’s neck, and tried to lead him away.
But Jack hadn’t the least intention of going. Oh, dear, no! He planted his feet firmly on the ground, while the man pulled, and pulled, and pulled, but could not make him stir a step. At last the man gave up and went away; but he came back the next day with two more men.
Then, spite of Jack’s firmness, his legs were bound, and he was laid in a wagon, and carried miles and miles away from all his dear companions.
His new home was a small farm where there were no friends for him at all. Jack soon grew so lonely, that he even felt anxious to scrape acquaintance with the hens and chickens. But they all rushed wildly away as soon he approached; and one old hen cackled out, “Good gracious, my children, my children! do keep out of the way of that ugly beast.”
Jack was so grieved that he did not dare to make any more attempts at sociability that day; and, indeed there was no one else he could speak to, except Growler, the big bull-dog.
“A fine day, sir,” said Jack, carelessly sauntering by the kennel.
“Bow-wow-wow!” barked Growler, making a frantic rush for Jack’s legs.
Now donkeys don’t often run; but Jack ran then as fast as he could go, straight across to the other end of the field, and right into a lot of the most delicious nettles.
But what pleasure can one find in dainty fare when one is alone? Jack stood looking around till he happened to spy a goat who seemed to be about as sad as himself.
“Are you homesick?” asked Jack.
“No,” said the goat mournfully.
“Some other kind of sick?” suggested Jack, glad to find some one who would give him a civil answer.
“No,” answered the goat; “but my mouth waters to taste those little tender twigs on that tree just out of my reach. If I only had a box,” he added, shaking his head, “or something to stand on, I could get them easily.”
“Jump up on my back, and eat as many as you want,” said Jack, ever ready to do a favor.
The goat hesitated. “I am afraid I might hurt you,” he said.
“Nothing ever hurts me,” responded Jack. “Jump up.” So the goat took courage, made a leap, and landed safely on the donkey’s back.
Jack stood there patiently while his new friend made a dainty feast.
“Is it good?” he asked.
“Delicious! Oh, so nice! But”—and the goat broke off in a frightened manner. “Don’t you see?” he began again after a moment. “There’s the farmer looking at us. Oh, dear me, what will he do?”
“Nothing,” said Jack. “Go on eating, and let him look if he wants to.”
“No, no! I had better get down,” said the goat.
“Don’t be afraid,” the donkey insisted. “Stay there, and eat as much as you want.”
The goat was not willing to be thought a coward: so, with one eye still on the farmer, he began to eat again. His master, after staring at the strange couple for a moment, burst into a loud laugh, and went away.
“There, I’ve had enough,” the goat said with a sigh of pleasure, as he jumped off Jack’s back. “Thank you very much. Let’s be friends.”
Jack was so delighted with this suggestion, that he brayed until the hills re-echoed with the sound of his voice. And from that day to this the donkey and goat have been inseparable friends. We never see one without the other.
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Many blessings,
