DONKEY TROUBLE

A traditional fable (not sourced, but often attributed to an Arabian folktale) about an old man and his grandson who go to the market to sell their donkey. As they walk through the desert, they are mocked for walking when they could ride; for the grandson's riding while his elder walks; for the grandfather's riding while the young man walks; for both riding and thus overburdening the donkey. They end up carrying the animal, and in the ensuing ruckus, the donkey flees, leaving the already impoverished heroes empty- handed. The illustrations—cut-paper collages with pastel highlights—depict hazy desert spaces, a big sun hovering in the background, and figures silhouetted against the horizon. Each scene is almost identical except for the colors, which change according to the time of day. It all looks serene and somber, peacefully preparing readers for the apt moral that ``to prosper, they must follow their own hearts.'' (Picture book. 5-8)