The Traveling Musicians Find a Home

An old donkey left his farm because his farmer no longer wanted him. He walked toward the city, hoping to become a musician.

Along the road, the donkey found an old dog panting. The hunter had sent the dog away for being slow. “Together, we can make music,” said the donkey.

Soon, the new friends met a sad cat. Her mistress had chased her away for resting too much. “Together, we can make music,” they told her.

Farther on, they heard a rooster crowing at a gate. The cook planned to serve him for Sunday supper. “Together, we can make music,” the friends promised.

By nightfall, the four friends reached a dark wood. They could not reach the city before bedtime. From a tall tree, the rooster spotted a distant light.

Because they were cold and hungry, the friends followed the light. At the window, the donkey saw robbers eating supper in their hideout. The travelers needed a safe plan.

The donkey stood tall, with the dog upon his back. The cat climbed next, and the rooster perched highest. Then their great concert began.

The friends brayed, barked, meowed, and crowed together. Startled by the mighty song, the robbers fled into the woods.

After the robbers fled, the hungry friends entered the cottage. They shared bread, apples, and warm soup around the table.

After supper, they put out the lamps and chose cozy beds. Soon, all four friends slept peacefully inside their shelter.

At midnight, one robber returned to inspect the silent house. The cat hissed, the dog barked, the donkey stomped, and the rooster crowed. Frightened by the noise, the robber hurried away.

At dawn, the friends knew the robbers had run far away. The empty cottage needed a family, so they made it home. That night, four friends slept beneath the silver moon. What friends cannot do alone, they can do together, and so they found a home.