Sophie and the Donkey’s Balance“Someone else’s trouble can quickly become your own.”

Sophie and the Donkey’s Balance

Beginner · ≈ 1 min story · 1 min read

Sophie and Mia set off on a journey with a donkey. Sophie’s vegetables go on one side of its load and Mia’s clay pots on the other. Each time the donkey leans toward the vegetables, it nibbles some of Sophie’s food, and Mia laughs that she got the better side. When they stop to rest, the pots are now the heavier side, so the donkey sits right on them and they break.

Sophie and Mia were travelling with a donkey. Sophie filled one side of the donkey’s load with vegetables, while Mia placed clay pots on the other side. As they walked, the donkey kept leaning toward the vegetables. Whenever it tilted, it quietly nibbled some of the food from Sophie’s bag.

Mia laughed. “At least my clay pots are safe. I think I got the better side!” Sophie said nothing and kept walking. After some time, they stopped to rest. The donkey slowly sat down. But because one side was now heavier, it sat directly on the bag of clay pots.

CRACK! The pots broke. Mia stared at the pieces on the ground. She had laughed too soon. Mia realised that someone else’s trouble can quickly become your own, and it is never wise to boast too early.

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