The Little Ass

Once upon a time there lived a King and Queen, who were very rich, and possessed all they desired, but children. On this account the Queen used to cry and groan all day long, saying, “I am like a barren field where nothing will grow!” At last her wishes and prayers were answered, and a child was born; but when the nurses took it they said it was a Little Ass, and not a human child. When the mother perceived this, she began to cry and groan again, for she would rather have had no child than a Little Ass, and she ordered them to throw the thing into the water, that it might feed the fishes. The King, however, said, “No! God gave it, and it shall be my son and heir, and at my death sit upon the throne, and wear the royal crown.” So the Little Ass was taken care of and brought up well, while its ears grew to a good size and were straight and well formed. Now, it was a frolicsome animal, and used to jump about, and, besides, it had a very great passion for music, so much so that it went to a celebrated Musician, and said, “Teach me your art, that I may strike the lute as well as you.” “Ah! my dear sir,” replied the Musician, “that would be difficult; your fingers are not altogether made for the purpose; I am afraid you could not touch the strings.”

The Ass, however, would not be put off, and, being determined to learn, he applied himself so strenuously and industriously that in the course of time he could play as well as the master himself. One day afterwards the young Prince went out walking in a thoughtful mood, and, presently coming to a running brook, he looked in and saw his own figure reflected like an ass. The sight made him so sad that he wandered away from his home, attended but by one trusty friend. They travelled to and fro for many months, and at last came to a kingdom over which ruled an old King, who had an only but very beautiful daughter. “Here we will stay,” said the Ass Prince; and, knocking at the palace-door, he cried out, “Open, if you please! a visitor stands without who wishes to come in.” The door was not opened, and so the Ass sat down on the steps and played his lute in the most charming way with his two fore-feet. At this the guard at the door opened his eyes very wide, and running to the King told him that a young Ass was at the door, who was playing the lute like a regular musician. “Let him come in then,” said the King. But, as soon as the Ass entered, all began to laugh at such a lute-player, and he was told to sit down and feed with the slaves at the lower end of the hall. This he would not do, but said, “I am no common animal, I am a distinguished Ass.” “If you are so,” said the others, “take your place with the soldiers.” “No; I will sit by the King himself,” said the Ass. The King laughed, but said, good-naturedly, “Yes, it shall be so, as you desire; come up hither.” By-and-by the King asked, “How does my daughter please you?” The Ass turned his head towards her, looked at her, and, nodding, said, “The Princess pleases me beyond measure, she is so beautiful as I have never seen any one before.” “Well, then, you shall sit by her,” said the King. “That is just right,” said the Ass, and, sitting down by her side, he ate and drank with her, for he knew how to conduct himself before company.

At this court the noble beast stayed many months; but soon he began to think, “Of what use is all this? I may as well return home;” and, hanging his head down, he went to the King and mentioned his wishes. But the King had become very partial to the Ass, and said, “What is the matter, my dear friend? you look as sour as a vinegar cruet. Do stop with me, I will give you whatever you desire; do you want money?” “No,” said the Ass, shaking his head. “Do you need treasures or jewels?” “No.” “Will you have the half of my kingdom?” “Ah, no, no!” “I would I knew what would content you,” cried the King; “will you have my beautiful daughter to wife?” “Oh yes! that would please me well,” replied the Ass, and his spirits returned at once, for it was the very thing he had wished. So thereupon a large and magnificent wedding was celebrated. At night, when the bride and bridegroom were about to go to their sleeping-apartment, the King took a fancy to know if he would retain his form or not, and so he bade a servant to conceal himself in his room. By-and-by, when they entered, the bridegroom bolted the door after him, and then, believing that he and his wife were alone, he threw off his Ass’s skin, and stood up a handsome and well-formed man. “Now you see,” said he to his bride, “who I am, and that I am not unworthy of you.” She was of course in transports of joy to see the good change, and kissed him, and thenceforth loved him dearly. As soon as morning came over, he got up and put on again his skin, so that no one ever would have known what was concealed beneath it. Soon the old King came, and when he saw the Ass he exclaimed, “Ah! what, up already!” and then turning to his daughter he said to her, “Alas! you are doubtless in grief, because you have not really a human husband.” “Oh no, dear father,” she replied; “I love him as much as if he were the handsomest man possible, and I will comfort him all my life.”

The King went away astonished; but the servant followed him and told him what had happened. “That never can be true,” said the King. “Then watch yourself to-night, my lord King,” answered the servant; “and you will see with your own eyes the truth of my words; but I would advise you to snatch away the skin and burn it, and then your son-in-law will be compelled to show himself in his true character. “Your advice is good,” said the King; and in the middle of the night, when everybody was asleep, he slipped into the chamber of his son-in-law, and when he looked at the bed the moonbeams showed clearly that it was no Ass, but a fine young man who laid in it, while by the side, the skin had been thrown down on the floor. The King took the skin up and caused a great fire to be made, into which he threw it, and stood by till it was burnt to ashes. He was anxious still to see how the youth would behave when he discovered his loss, and so he stopped the rest of the night watching. At daybreak the youth arose, and looked about for his ass-skin; but he could find it nowhere. Then he was frightened, and cried out in sorrow and anguish, “Alas! I must make my escape!” But as he left the room, he found the King standing outside, who said, “Whither away, my son, in such a hurry? what do you intend? Remain here; you are too handsome a man to be readily parted with. I will give you now the government of half of my kingdom, and at my death you shall have the whole.”

“So wish I that this good beginning may have a good ending,” said the youth. “I will remain with you.”

Thereupon the old King put the half of the kingdom under his care, and, when he died about a year after, the whole government descended to the young King, and in another year he was called upon to rule the kingdom of his own father, who died and left it to him. And over these two countries he ruled so wisely that the people prospered, and his Queen and he were happy and contented.