The Discontented Donkey

One day a donkey young 
and foolish too I fear 
stood sulking in the farmers yard 
in the winter of the year. 
He had enough to eat I know, 
but still the ground was white with snow.  
Which Neddy did not like 
nor did he love to be 
without some little donkey friend 
to keep him company. 
The truth is Ned was discontented 
which widom ought to have prevented. 

"It is so cold!" he cried 
"I can't get warm at all
the ground is just one sheet of ice
and soon I know I'll fall.
Oh how I wish spring was here
with sunshine sweet my heart to cheer."

Well, springtime came and Ned
with saddle on his back
was made to carry little May 
a child who could not walk.
A gentle little maid was she
who loved the donkey tenderly.

But youngsters only think!
so cross was foolish Ned
that when he saw the little girl
he always groaned and said
"this tiresome child! why can't she walk
on her own feet like other folk?"

"If summer-time would come
I know I'd happy be."
Well in due course the summer came
warm sun and bright blue sea.
"Oh dear!" cried Ned "how hot it is!
It puts me in a perfect fizz!"

"But autumn when it comes 
I know will suit me well."
But not a bit when autumn came
his greif no tongue could tell.
For the farmer shook his apples down
and Ned must take them all to town.

Of course he had to work
and smartly too must walk.
Oh how he humped his back and groaned
like other lazy folk.
"go faster!" said his master then
and thrashed him once and once again.

One day he almost fell
but stumbled up once more.
Until he found himself again
at masters stable door.
So sulky was he and forlorn
he wished he never had been born!

"Oh dear-oh dear! he cried 
how tired I am of life.
It is so full of hard, hard work
of scolding and of strife.
Why was I born? Just tell me that!
And now an answer came, quite pat.

It was the masters horse
who said "you silly thing
you grumble at the winter cold
you grumbled at the spring
and when at last came summer sweet
of course you grumbled at the heat."


"You ask why you were born?
well, you were born to work
and neither man nor beast should try
their daily task to shirk.
Spring, summer ,autumn, winter too
they all bring something good to you."

Then let contentment reign 
in your young foolish heart
and strive in this queer world of ours
to play a worthy part
put discontentment far away
and yuo'll be happy everyday.