The Donkey and the Little Dog

1.17. de asino et catella
Caxton: Of the asse and of the yong dogge
None ought to entermete hym of that what he can not do wherof Esope recyted suche a fable / Of an asse whiche was in the hows of a lord / whiche lord had a lytyll dogge / whiche he loued wel / and gaf hym mete and ete vpon his table / And the lytyll dogge lyked and chered / and lepte vpon his gowne / And to alle them that were in the hows he made chere / wherfor the asse was enuyous and sayd in hym self / yf my lord and his meyny loue this myschaunt beste by cause that he chereth and maketh feste to euery body / by gretter reason they ought to loue me yf I make chere to them / Thenne sayd he in hym self / Fro hensforth I shalle take my disporte and shalle make Ioye and playe with my lord / and wyth his meyny / And ones as the asse was in this thoughte and ymagynacion / hit happed that he sawe his lord whiche entryd in to his hows / the asse beganne thenne to daunse and to make feest and songe with his swete voys / and approched hym self toward his lord & went & lepte vpon his shoulders / and beganne to kysse and to lykke hym / The lord thenne beganne to crye oute with a hyghe voys and sayd / lete this fowl and payllard / whiche hurteth and byteth me sore / be bete and putt awey / The lordes seruauntes thenne toke anone grete staues / and beganne to smyte vpon the poure asse / and so sore corryged and bete hym / that after he had no luste ne courage to daunse / ne make to none chere ne feste /
And therfore none ought to entermete hym self for to doo a thynge / whiche as for hym impossyble is to be done / For the vnwyse displeseth there / where as he supposeth to please
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The Little Dog and the Donkey

THE LITTLE DOG AND THE DONKEY. You will find the fable in English on this page; scroll to see if there are multiple English versions. [more info]

The Ass and the Lap-Dog

056. THE ASS AND THE LAP-DOG There was an Ass and a Lap-dog that belonged to the same master. The Ass was tied up in the stable, and had plenty of corn and hay to eat, and was as well off as Ass could be. The little Dog was always sporting and gambolling about, caressing and fawning upon his master in a thousand amusing ways, so that he became a great favourite, and was permitted to lie in his master’s lap.
The Ass, indeed, had enough to do; he was drawing wood all day, and had to take his turn at the mill at night. But while he grieved over his own lot, it galled him more to see the Lap-dog living in such ease and luxury; so thinking that if he acted a like part to his master, he should fare the same, he broke one day from his halter, and rushing into the hall began to kick and prance about in the strangest fashion; then swishing his tail and mimicking the frolics of the favourite, he upset the table where his master was at dinner, breaking it in two and smashing all the crockery; nor would he leave off till he jumped upon his master, and pawed him with his rough-shod feet.
The servants, seeing their master in no little danger, thought it was now high time to interfere, and having released him from the Ass’s caresses, they so belaboured the silly creature with sticks and staves, that he never got up again; and as he breathed his last, exclaimed, “Why could not I have been satisfied with my natural position, without attempting, by tricks and grimaces, to imitate one who was but a puppy after all!” [more info]

The Ass and the Little Dog

124. THE ASS AND THE LITTLE DOG. The ass observing how great a favourite the little dog was with his master, how much caressed, and fondled, and fed with good bits at every meal, and for no other reason, as he could perceive, but skipping and frisking about, wagging his tail, and leaping up into his master's lap, he was resolved to imitate the same, and see whether such a behaviour would not procure him the same favours.
Accordingly, the master was no sooner come home from walking about his fields and gardens, and was seated in his easy chair, but the ass, who observed him, came gamboling and braying towards him, in a very awkward manner. The master could not help laughing aloud at the odd sight. But his jest was soon turned into earnest, when he felt the rough salute of the ass's forefeet, who, raising himself upon his hinder legs, pawed against his breast with a most loving air, and would fain have jumped into his lap.
The good man, terrified at this outrageous behaviour, and unable to endure the weight of so heavy a beast, cried out; upon which, one of his servants running in with a good stick, and laying on heartily upon the bones of the poor ass, soon convinced him, that everyone who desires it is not qualified to be a favourite. [more info]

The Ass and the Little Dog

081. THE ASS AND THE LITTLE DOG. The ass observing how great a favourite the little dog was with his master, how much caressed, and fondled, and fed with good bits at every meal, and for no other reason, as he could perceive, but skipping and frisking about, wagging his tail, and leaping up into his master's lap, he was resolved to imitate the same, and see whether such a behaviour would not procure him the same favours.
Accordingly, the master was no sooner come home from walking about his fields and gardens, and was seated in his easy chair, but the ass, who observed him, came gamboling and braying towards him, in a very awkward manner. The master could not help laughing aloud at the odd sight. But his jest was soon turned into earnest, when he felt the rough salute of the ass's forefeet, who, raising himself upon his hinder legs, pawed against his breast with a most loving air, and would fain have jumped into his lap.
The good man, terrified at this outrageous behaviour, and unable to endure the weight of so heavy a beast, cried out; upon which, one of his servants running in with a good stick, and laying on heartily upon the bones of the poor ass, soon convinced him, that everyone who desires it is not qualified to be a favourite. [more info]

The Ass and the Little Dog

01. THE ASS AND THE LITTLE DOG. An ass, who noticed how fond his master was of a little dog, said to himself, 'Why should not I be petted and fondled and given nice things to eat as well as that dog?' He saw that the favourite did nothing to deserve his good fortune, but only gambolled about, and barked, and wagged his tail, and jumped on his master's knee. So the ass made up his mind to behave just in that way himself, hoping that he too would be rewarded.
Soon afterwards, when the master came home and sat resting in his armchair, the ass pranced in and began to gambol and kick up his heels and bray, until the man could not help laughing at the funny sight. Then the ass came nearer and placed his fore-feet upon his master's knee and prepared to jump into his lap, but that was too much of a joke. 'Help!' shouted the man, and the servants came running in, and when they saw their master in such a plight, they beat the ass with heavy sticks until his bones ached, and he was thankful to run back to his own stable. [more info]

The Ass and the Little Dog

04.05: THE ASS AND THE LITTLE DOG.
One's native talent from its course
Cannot be turned aside by force;
But poorly apes the country clown
The polish'd manners of the town.
Their Maker chooses but a few
With power of pleasing to imbue;
Where wisely leave it we, the mass,
Unlike a certain fabled ass,
That thought to gain his master's blessing
By jumping on him and caressing.
'What!' said the donkey in his heart;
'Ought it to be that puppy's part
To lead his useless life
In full companionship
With master and his wife,
While I must bear the whip?
What doth the cur a kiss to draw?
Forsooth, he only gives his paw!
If that is all there needs to please,
I'll do the thing myself, with ease.'
Possess'd with this bright notion,—
His master sitting on his chair,
At leisure in the open air,—
He ambled up, with awkward motion,
And put his talents to the proof;
Upraised his bruised and batter'd hoof,
And, with an amiable mien,
His master patted on the chin,
The action gracing with a word—
The fondest bray that e'er was heard!
O, such caressing was there ever?
Or melody with such a quaver?
'Ho! Martin! here! a club, a club bring!'
Out cried the master, sore offended.
So Martin gave the ass a drubbing,—
And so the comedy was ended.
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The Ass and the Lapdog

10. THE ASS AND THE LAPDOG. A Farmer one day came to the stables to see to his beasts of burden: among them was his favourite Ass, that was always well fed and often carried his master. With the Farmer came his Lapdog, who danced about and licked his hand and frisked about as happy as could be. The Farmer felt in his pocket, gave the Lapdog some dainty food, and sat down while he gave his orders to his servants. The Lapdog jumped into his master's lap, and lay there blinking while the Farmer stroked his ears.
The Ass, seeing this, broke loose from his halter and commenced prancing about in imitation of the Lapdog. The Farmer could not hold his sides with laughter, so the Ass went up to him, and putting his feet upon the Farmer's shoulder attempted to climb into his lap. The Farmer's servants rushed up with sticks and pitchforks and soon taught the Ass that:
Clumsy jesting is no joke. [more info]

The Ass and the Lap Dog

60. THE ASS AND THE LAP DOG.
"How Master that little Dog pets!"
Thinks the Ass, and with jealousy frets,
So he climbs Master's knees,
Hoping dog-like to please,
And a drubbing is all that he gets.
ASSES MUST NOT EXPECT TO BE FONDLED
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The Ass and the Little Dog

009. THE ASS AND THE LITTLE DOG.
One's native talent from its course
Cannot be turned aside by force;
But poorly apes the country clown
The polish'd manners of the town.
Their Maker chooses but a few
With power of pleasing to imbue;
Where wisely leave it we, the mass,
Unlike a certain fabled ass,
That thought to gain his master's blessing
By jumping on him and caressing.
'What!' said the donkey in his heart;
'Ought it to be that puppy's part
To lead his useless life
In full companionship
With master and his wife,
While I must bear the whip?
What doth the cur a kiss to draw?
Forsooth, he only gives his paw!
If that is all there needs to please,
I'll do the thing myself, with ease.'
Possess'd with this bright notion,—
His master sitting on his chair,
At leisure in the open air,—
He ambled up, with awkward motion,
And put his talents to the proof;
Upraised his bruised and batter'd hoof,
And, with an amiable mien,
His master patted on the chin,
The action gracing with a word—
The fondest bray that e'er was heard!
O, such caressing was there ever?
Or melody with such a quaver?
'Ho! Martin! here! a club, a club bring!'
Out cried the master, sore offended.
So Martin gave the ass a drubbing,—
And so the comedy was ended.
[more info]

The Ass and Little Dog

081. THE ASS AND LITTLE DOG. You will find the fable in English on this page; scroll down to see if there are multiple English versions. [more info]

The Ass and the Lap Dog

099. THE ASS AND THE LAP DOG. There was once an Ass whose Master also owned a Lap Dog. This Dog was a favorite and received many a pat and kind word from his Master, as well as choice bits from his plate. Every day the Dog would run to meet the Master, frisking playfully about and leaping up to lick his hands and face.
All this the Ass saw with much discontent. Though he was well fed, he had much work to do; besides, the Master hardly ever took any notice of him.
Now the jealous Ass got it into his silly head that all he had to do to win his Master's favor was to act like the Dog. So one day he left his stable and clattered eagerly into the house.
Finding his Master seated at the dinner table, he kicked up his heels and, with a loud bray, pranced giddily around the table, upsetting it as he did so. Then he planted his forefeet on his Master's knees and rolled out his tongue to lick the Master's face, as he had seen the Dog do. But his weight upset the chair, and Ass and man rolled over together in the pile of broken dishes from the table.
The Master was much alarmed at the strange behavior of the Ass, and calling for help, soon attracted the attention of the servants. When they saw the danger the Master was in from the clumsy beast, they set upon the Ass and drove him with kicks and blows back to the stable. There they left him to mourn the foolishness that had brought him nothing but a sound beating.
Behavior that is regarded as agreeable in one is very rude and impertinent in another.
Do not try to gain favor by acting in a way that is contrary to your own nature and character. [more info]