76. The Donkey and the Watchdog
A thief came to rob a house.
The donkey said to the watchdog, "You should bark!"
"Our master treats us badly," said the dog. "Why should I bark?"
Since the dog wouldn't bark, the donkey brayed.
This scared the thief, but the master didn't know anything about that. Instead, he was furious that the donkey woke him up. In his rage, he beat the donkey so badly that the donkey died.
The dog shook his head sadly. "The donkey should have listened to me and kept his mouth shut."
The thief returned the next night.
The dog did not bark.
Inspired by: Hitopadesha, or, The Book of Good Counsel translated by B. Hale-Wortham
Notes: It is in Book 2, Story 3. I added the part about the thief coming back.
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