THE DONKEY AND THE OPINIONS OF OTHERS

In this heartwarming play, The Donkey and the Opinions of Others, Peter and his father set out on a simple trip to town. Along the way, they meet different people who each have their own opinion about how they should travel with their donkey. Trying to please everyone leads to unexpected—and funny—results! This story teaches children an important lesson: it’s impossible to make everyone happy.

CHARACTERS:

FATHER

SON – Peter

MAN

MRS. LIZ

OLD MAN

GIRL

SCRIPT:

ACT I – ON THE COUNTRYSIDE

(The Father, his son Peter, and their donkey Snooky enter the stage.)

FATHER: (to his son) Tell me, Peter, did you feed Snooky?

SON: Yes, Father, I did. But where are we going so early?

FATHER: We’re heading to town to do some shopping. Come on, hurry up, it’s getting late.

(They begin walking. A Man enters the stage.)

MAN: Good morning! Where are you going so early?

FATHER: We’re going to St. James.

MAN: Forgive me for asking, but why are you walking when you have a donkey to ride?

SON: (to his father) He’s right! Why aren’t we riding Snooky?

FATHER: (to the Man) I appreciate your advice. Good-bye, we’re in a hurry.

(The Man leaves. Father turns to his son.)

FATHER: Who’s going to ride the donkey?

SON: You should ride, Father. I can walk.

(The Father climbs on the donkey, and they walk a little further. A Woman carrying a basket enters the stage.)

FATHER: Good morning, Mrs. Liz.

MRS. LIZ: Good morning! (She stops and stares.) I know it’s not my business, but why is this poor, sweet boy walking while a strong man like you rides the donkey?

SON: (to his father) Mrs. Liz is right. Don’t you think so, Father?

FATHER: (sighs) All right, I’ll get off the donkey, and you can ride instead.

(The Father gets off and Peter gets on Snooky. They continue walking. An Old Man enters the stage.)

OLD MAN: Good morning.

FATHER: Good morning.

OLD MAN: (shaking his head) Oh my! When I was young, this would have never happened!  Why is a healthy young boy riding while his poor father walks? Such disrespect!

(The Old Man leaves, muttering to himself.)

FATHER: What do you think about what the old man said?

SON: I think he’s right. It would be better if we both rode the donkey.

(Father climbs onto the donkey behind his son. They walk a little more. A Girl runs in from the side of the stage.)

GIRL: (approaches the donkey) What a sweet donkey! What’s his name?

SON: His name is Snooky.

GIRL: Oh, poor Snooky! Look at how tired he looks. Why are you both riding this poor animal?

(She leaves, whispering “Poor donkey!”)

FATHER: (now impatient) And now, what are we going to do, my son?

SON: I think the girl is right, Father. Snooky looks exhausted. Let’s carry him ourselves so nobody will criticize us.

FATHER: (nodding reluctantly) All right… let’s see what happens.

(They both get off and try to carry Snooky. They can barely walk. The Man, Mrs. Liz, the Old Man, and the Girl all enter the stage at once.)

MAN: (laughing) What is this? I’ve never seen anything like it!

MRS. LIZ: (laughing harder) What a pair of fools!

OLD MAN: How ridiculous you look carrying a donkey!

(The group leaves, still laughing.)

FATHER: (angry) And now, what are we going to do, my son?

SON: Honestly, Father, I don’t know. We did everything they told us, but we couldn’t please anyone. Everyone criticized us, and now they’re laughing at us.

FATHER: Look, my son. I wanted you to see with your own eyes that there are many different opinions, and it’s impossible to please everyone.

SON: So… what are we going to do now?

FATHER: You must think carefully and decide what’s best, even if others disagree.

SON: (determined) I know what to do! You’ll ride Snooky for half the way, and I’ll ride the other half. We’ll also take turns walking so Snooky can rest.

FATHER: (climbing onto the donkey) Well done, my son. We’ll do just that. Come on, Snooky, start walking!

SON: (looking confident) Let people talk!

(They leave the stage singing together.)

Peter and his father learned a valuable lesson: no matter how hard you try, you can’t make everyone happy. What really matters is doing what you know is right for you.

MORAL: You can’t please everyone. Follow your own judgment and don’t let gossip or criticism control your choices.

The End

Author: Aesop Fable

Adapted by:  K I D S I N C O

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External Resources:

Library of Congress Aesop Fables

Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia Aesop Fables

Aesop Fables in English for Language Learners

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