The Miller, His Son, and Their Donkey

The Miller, His Son, and Their Donkey, is a classic fairy tale. In this story a miller and his son try to please everyone they meet on their journey to town with their donkey.

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Each attempt to satisfy others’ opinions only leads to confusion and loss.

This classic fable teaches the important lesson that it’s impossible to please everyone, and in doing so, you may lose what matters most.

The Miller, His Son, and Their Ass – Let’s Read

Once upon a time, in a small village, there lived a kind-hearted miller with his young son.

They owned a sturdy donkey, which they used to carry flour from the mill to the market.

One fine morning, the miller decided to take his son and their donkey to the nearby town to sell their flour.

As they set off, the miller walked alongside the donkey, while his son rode on its back.

When they crossed through the village, they passed by a group of people who began to whisper and laugh.

One of them called out, “Look at that lazy boy, riding the donkey while his poor old father walks! Shame on him!”

Hearing this, the miller felt embarrassed. He turned to his son and said, “It’s not right for people to think ill of you.

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I will ride the donkey, and you can walk.” So, they switched places, and the miller climbed onto the donkey while his son walked beside him.

As they continued on their journey, they encountered another group of people who shook their heads disapprovingly.

“What a selfish man!” one of them exclaimed. “The poor boy is walking while his father rides comfortably. He should be ashamed of himself!”

The miller, now feeling embarrassed once again, stopped and said to his son, “It seems we cannot please anyone. Perhaps we should both ride the donkey together.”

So, the miller helped his son onto the donkey, and the two of them continued their journey riding side by side.

But before long, they passed another group of travelers who gasped in horror. “How cruel!” they cried. “That poor donkey is being burdened with the weight of two people! Have they no mercy?”

The miller, now thoroughly confused and disheartened, stopped the donkey.

“It seems no matter what we do, people always have something to say,” he sighed. “Perhaps the best thing to do is to carry the donkey ourselves.”

So, the miller and his son tied the donkey’s legs to a pole, and together, they lifted it onto their shoulders.

As they struggled under the weight of the donkey, they passed through the town, attracting even more attention.

People laughed and pointed at the ridiculous sight. “What foolishness!” they jeered. “Who has ever seen people carrying a donkey?”

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In the quest to please everyone, we often lose sight of our own path; true wisdom lies in trusting our own hearts and judgment.

Embarrassed and exhausted, the miller and his son lost their grip, and the donkey, startled, kicked free and ran off into the fields.

The miller and his son stood there, watching helplessly as their donkey disappeared into the distance.

With a heavy heart, the miller turned to his son and said, “Let this be a lesson, my boy. In trying to please everyone, we have pleased no one, and in the end, we have lost our donkey.”

And so, they returned home, wiser than before, learning that trying to satisfy everyone is an impossible task.

From that day on, they decided to follow their good sense and judgment, regardless of what others might say.

And so, they lived happily ever after, wiser and more content.

Lesson Behind this Fairy Tale

This story teaches us an important life lesson: You can never please everyone, so it’s best to trust your own judgment.

Here are the possible lessons behind this fairy tale:

• People Will Always Have Opinions – No matter what you do, there will always be people who criticize or judge. If you try to satisfy everyone, you will only end up confused and unhappy.
• Follow Your Own Path – Instead of worrying about what others think, make decisions based on what you believe is right. Confidence in your own choices leads to a peaceful and fulfilling life.
• Trying Too Hard to Please Others Can Lead to Loss – The miller and his son changed their actions multiple times based on others’ opinions, and in the end, they lost their donkey. This shows that constantly seeking approval from others can sometimes lead to losing what is truly valuable.
• Wisdom Comes from Experience – Through their experience, the miller and his son learned an important lesson: instead of following every opinion, it’s better to use one’s own wisdom and common sense.
• Balance is Key – While it’s good to consider others’ advice, blindly following every suggestion can lead to problems. The key is to find a balance between listening to feedback and making independent choices.

The story reminds us to be confident in our decisions, think wisely, and not let the fear of judgment control our actions.

What Kids Learn from the Story

This story teaches kids several valuable life lessons in a simple and engaging way:

1. You Can’t Please Everyone – Kids learn that no matter what they do, someone will always have a different opinion. Instead of trying to make everyone happy, they should focus on doing what they believe is right.
2. Think for Yourself – The story encourages children to use their own judgment instead of blindly following what others say. It’s important to listen to advice but also to think carefully before making decisions.
3. Be Confident in Your Choices – Kids learn that constantly changing their actions based on others’ opinions can lead to confusion and mistakes. Being confident in their own decisions helps them grow stronger and more independent.
4. Trying Too Hard to Impress Others Can Cause Problems – Just like the miller and his son lost their donkey, kids understand that if they always worry about what others think, they might end up losing something important.
5. Learn from Mistakes – The story teaches that making mistakes is okay as long as we learn from them. The miller and his son realized their error and decided to trust their own judgment in the future.
6. Be Kind and Respectful, But Stay True to Yourself – It’s good to listen to others and be considerate, but kids should also learn to stand up for what they believe is right.

This fairy tale helps children develop confidence, critical thinking, and the ability to make wise decisions without unnecessary fear of judgment.

Follow-Up Questions For This Story