The Miller his son and the donkey
This is an adaptation of the famous fable in English
Until 31.December.2025. schools are welcome to use this piece in their curriculum, in the classroom or to stage it, free of charge. Can contact sancassimally@blueyonder.co.uk
A miller a man frail and elderly
And his son, a lad lively and sprightly
Were heading to the fair to sell their donkey
Keen to make the most money.
Thinking it best not to tire out the beast
So it would look fresh and at least
Fit to shift the heaviest cargo
They decided that ergo
They would tie up the legs of the brayer
Carry him themselves to find a buyer
And get the best possible price-
This being some wise man’s advice.
En route they encountered three rustics
Who, seeing them burst into hysterics.
The tallest was the first to stop laughing
He’d never seen a sight more side-splitting
Then the shortest picked up the baton
Saying, mokes are for blokes to ride on.
They pursed their lips and acquiesced
And the old man and his son thought it best
To untie jack and jump on its back.
The yearling, though not a weakling
But not fully grown, began to groan
Under the heavy load, his heart ready to explode.
Seeing this some woodcutters stared at them
Why you staring at us, what’s your problem
The miller asked the oldest of the tribe
Who launched into this diatribe:
Good sirs, know you not this God’s creature
You’re mistreating has the sweetest nature?
He should be treated with consideration
Properly fed and made to work in moderation.
Maybe, said the miller, we can take turn, you ride
He told his son, whilst I walk by your side
And so they did for a while
But they had hardly done a mile
When they saw two lasses comely
Approaching them gingerly.
When they drew level the older one grew bolder
What system she asked, makes an old man with tired feet
Struggle uphill while fresh rested young legs seat
Themselves on the back of the mount
Like a lord or a count?
Whereupon, the boy feeling well chidden
Slides off the beast of burden
They’re right father, am full of shame
Telling the lasses, my old man’s not to blame.
Thus they change places and proceed
To the fair at great speed.
But it did not take long
For more critics to turn along.
The world has turned upside down
They said, when things happen the other way round
When fathers, healthy, able and strong men
Mistreat and exploit their own children
Instead of cherishing and loving them
Something’s very wrong with the system.
Today, the miller said, we can’t put a foot right,
Let’s both walk to make Jack’s load light.
But as they knew, in no time they met some wag
Who said, only fools walk when they’ve got a nag?
