The Donkey in the Tiger's Skin

Once, in a prosperous village, there lived a washerman named Shuddhapata. He was a hardworking man, but luck was seldom on his side. He owned a single donkey that assisted him in carrying bundles of clothes to the riverbank every morning. Due to a severe drought and the washerman's poverty, there was hardly any grass for the donkey to eat. The poor animal grew so thin that its ribs were visible, and it could barely stand. Shuddhapata feared that his only means of livelihood would soon perish. One evening, while searching for firewood in the dense forest, he stumbled upon the carcass of a majestic tiger. As he stared at it, a cunning plan formed in his mind. "If I cover my donkey with this tiger's skin," he thought, "no one will dare to approach him. He can graze in the richest fields without fear." He carefully skinned the tiger and brought the hide home. At nightfall, he draped the skin over the donkey and led him to a field full of ripe barley. The local farmers, who were guarding their crops, saw the striped figure moving in the dark. "A tiger! A tiger!" they cried in terror and ran back to their homes. The donkey, delighted by the abundance of food, ate until his stomach was full. For many weeks, this deception continued. The donkey grew fat and strong, and the washerman was pleased. However, one night, as the donkey was grazing, he heard the distant braying of a female donkey. The sound resonated through the quiet night. Forgetful of his disguise and the danger he was in, the donkey felt a sudden urge to respond. He lifted his muzzle toward the moon and let out a loud, triumphant "Hee-haw!" The farmers, who were hiding nearby with sticks and stones, froze. They realized that no tiger would ever make such a sound. Realizing they had been fooled by a mere donkey, they emerged from their hiding places with fury. They fell upon the donkey with heavy sticks. The donkey tried to run, but the heavy tiger skin tripped him. He was beaten severely before he could escape back to the washerman. The secret was out, and the donkey paid a heavy price for his lack of self-control.