Demi
The Donkey and the Rock
Henry Holt, 1999
A fable set in pre-modern Tibet, The Donkey and the Rock features two poor men each eking out a living as best he can to support large households. When one man’s donkey crashes into the other man’s jar of oil set upon a rock, their lives come to a impasse. Unable to resolve the dispute, the seek the king’s good judgement. The king sees the goodness and honesty of both men, and he lays blame instead on the donkey and the rock. Driven by curiosity, the community attends the spectacular trial. But tables are turned as the wise king penalizes the people for their succumbing to their folly. Really, everyone knows “...there is no law by which to judge a donkey and a rock.” Ten coins was a small price for a valuable lesson.
If you have seen Demi’s charming illustrations, you know that they generally fit obediently into their spaces. She breaks this pattern to dramatic effect: when the donkey tips the jar of oil, it is as if Jackson Pollock’s paint-laden brush dripped in for a visit.
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