All About a Donkey

Many years ago,
Before yours or my time,
When the only way to
Travel to and fro
Was not with automobiles,
Or cars or trains,
Or even planes. 
But with a horse or a donkey.
This happened in the villages 
In Greece, donkeys were a
Cheap mode of transport,
But stubbornly would sit
On their paunches and snarl
Showing yellow teeth,
There was no way,
The donkey would budge
Another step, on that day
The aristocracy from 
Athens With horses, 
And their breeches and braces,
Made fun of the peasants 
And donkeys, what monkeys!
But one Athenian
Stopped by the old
Man with his donkey
The poor donkey was saddled,
With so much,
His walking was wonky!
Hey my friend,
Said the city man,
To the old peasant
Would you sell me
A  pheasant,
And your donkey
Would he carry the same 
load for me?
Of course he would but 
There is one thing you should know
He don’t look so good!
Said the honest old man!
But the buyer ignored this
And put a bridle 
On the poor animal, and
Tied him with rope to his saddle!
A week passed, and there
Suddenly appeared the Athenian
Who had bought the donkey.
Hey mister he said,
Did you know your donkey was blind,
Yes, but told you,
It was you who misunderstood
“He don’t look so good!’
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

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Ashley Avatar
March 6, 2021 at 6:03 PM
Dear Jennifer, my lovely poetry sister, oh I have missed your wonderfully talented and entertaining pen. I love donkeys and I love your delightful old-world poem, full of warm "Jennifer" charm, with the very funny twist at the end. You never fail to make me smile. Your beautiful heart shines in the humor of this beguiling poem. Warmest wishes, love and hugs to you, my sweet friend.. ~Susan
Delaney Avatar
March 6, 2021 at 7:16 AM
Jennifer : How funny. Like a skit from the Marx Brothers, I can see Chico delivering that line. Lol SuZ
Wolf Avatar
March 3, 2021 at 5:33 PM
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! Have you been consulting with Lindsay Laurie?! This is as superb a twist as even he comes up with! Just loved it,... those wonky donkeys! :) gw
Laurie Avatar
March 1, 2021 at 3:54 PM
Hello Jennifer … a fanastic story Jennifer and I really felt for the donkey being overloaded, but the final line did bring on a smile because of the miscommunication - thanks again Jennifer - Lindsay
Edmonds  Avatar
February 27, 2021 at 3:38 PM
Ha, what an ending to this delightful read Jennifer, entertaining and enjoyable. Belle
Pandit Avatar
February 27, 2021 at 1:35 PM
What a story teller you are my friend--enjoyed the surprise ending, Jennifer.
Canerdy Avatar
February 27, 2021 at 12:03 PM
Excellent narrative poem, Jennifer, with a gotcha ending. Janice
Watt Avatar
February 26, 2021 at 6:31 PM
Love your storytelling, Jenn. This one has such a great surprise ending, it brought a smile. Also enjoy your rhymes such as peasant / pheasant and donkey / wonky. Another charming gem from your talented pen. Blessings and hugs ~ John
Ball Avatar
February 26, 2021 at 11:59 AM
Poor little donkey. I feel sorry for him and thn the old man shouldn't work him so hard. A good story though. God Bless, JB
Devonshire Avatar
February 26, 2021 at 10:33 AM
Well, you pulled the rug right out from under us, Jennifer! I was not expecting the punch line at the end, but thoroughly enjoyed this story. Donkeys get a bad rap. I wouldn't mind going back to the days when people rode animals instead of driving cars. Enjoyed!! Hugs, carolyn
Zahid Avatar
February 26, 2021 at 4:04 AM
You are indeed an excellent story teller my dear friend Jennifer. Loved it
Zahid Avatar
February 26, 2021 at 4:01 AM
The end actually surprised me, when I started reading this one, another story came into my mind, when the donkeys used to sit deliberately in water, and the load they used to carry (salt, spices or sugar etc), would dissolve in water, and then they would walk weight-free. Then a man came up with solution, put cotton type thing on donkeys instead of salt bags. Thus donkey learnt a lesson cz the weight was not 4 times more than the original one, as cotton can store water... Lol
Lamoureux Avatar
February 25, 2021 at 2:57 PM
A cute one.
Y. Avatar
February 25, 2021 at 11:18 AM
WoW! Jennifer, Good storytelling from start to finish. I was not expecting the ending. Excellent job. Have a wonderful day, my friend from across the pond:-) Alexis
Proxenos Avatar
February 25, 2021 at 12:16 PM
Hi Aleixis, you make my day every time I see your comment coming in - you are such an inspiration, and you have just beat me, I was going to visit you NOW Hugs and blessings, JENNIFER.!
Callus Avatar
February 25, 2021 at 5:28 AM
I enjoyed reading this lovely poem, Jenny, especially the end twist. Anything to do with donkeys tickles my attention since, when I was very young, I had one for a companion on my grandfather's farm. Hope you are keeping well, my friend. ~ Warm regards & Hugs // paul
Balasubramanian Avatar
February 25, 2021 at 3:26 AM
Simply loved the punchline. Enjoyed reading your story. Thanks for sharing. Take care, Rama
Cunningham Avatar
February 24, 2021 at 11:15 AM
Lol, love the punchline Jennifer, hope you are well. Tom
De Beaulieu Avatar
February 24, 2021 at 11:10 AM
Hello Jennifer, it is a buyer be ware message here. Enjoy your day my friend. Hugs Darlene
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