The Selfish Master #42

THE SELFISH MASTER

bedtime story


Many, many years ago, there lived at washerman in a small village. He had a dog and a donkey. The dog guarded the house and the donkey carried the load of clothes on his back. As the years passed, the dog grew old. He was no longer alert and agile. Hence the washerman did not take care of the old dog. He did not even give him enough food to eat.

One night, a thief broke into the washerman's house. The washerman was so tired that he was fast asleep. The old dog also lay asleep by his master's side. The donkey saw the thief entering the house. It was the dog's duty to bark and wake up his master, but the dog was fast asleep. The donkey went to the dog, woke him up and said, "Hey friend! Are you awake?"

The dog said, "Of course I am awake. What is the matter?"

The donkey said to the dog, "A thief has just broken into the house. Why don't you bark to wake up our master?"

The dog said, "Why don't you mind your own business? Though I have been serving the master for many years, he has never praised me or appreciated my services. Nowadays, he does not give me enough food to eat."

"This is not the time to find fault with the master, but to help him. Please wake him up quickly," argued the donkey.

But the dog was adamant. He said, "I will not do that. If the master does not appreciate me, why should I care for him?"

"All right. If you don't wake him up, I will " Saying this, the donkey started braying loudly. The washerman woke up. He was furious because the donkey had disturbed his sleep. The angry washerman got up, took a stick and started beating him severely. He then went to sleep again.

The washerman woke up the next morning and found that his house had been burgled. He began to grumble and wail, but it was too late then.

Suddenly, he thought of his old dog. The washerman realized his mistake and repented. He then decided to take good care of his old dog.


What did you learn from this story? Let's say it in the comment box below. And yes, if you like this story, don't forget to share. So let's meet again with a new story.

Comments