The Small One

Time to get up.

Wake up, Small One.

You don’t want father to catch you sleeping again.

Kinda stiff, huh ?

How’s that ? Better ?

He-haw.

- He-haw. - He-haw.

All right, I’m coming.

Umph.

So you want to play ?

Ha-ha-ha.

Ha-ha-ha.

You better not get tired out.

Come on, son. We have to get to work.

- Eat your breakfast. - Are those donkeys ready ?

Coming, Father.

Hurry, Small One. Come on !

Don’t you have enough work without doing Small One’s ?

Oh, no, Father.

It’s no trouble at all.

Son, are you aware that Small One...

eats as much as the other donkeys ?

Well, he has a big appetite.

That’s what I’m trying to say, son.

He can no longer carry...

a big enough load to pay for his food.

He’s just a little tired today.

His strength will come back.

No. He’s old, my son.

His strength is gone.

We...

can’t afford to keep him any longer.

No, Father. You don’t mean that.

I’m sorry, but tomorrow I must...

take Small One to town and sell him.

He’ll bring a piece of silver.

No, Father. No !

You can’t sell him.

You can’t !

Please, son,

try to understand.

Small One is old.

He shouldn’t have to work so hard.

In the city he’ll have an easier life.

You must be strong, my son.

Father ?

Yes, son ?

Please, can I take him ?

Very well.

You can leave in the morning,

and be home by nightfall.

But understand,

Small One must be sold.

Yes, Father.

Don’t worry, Small One,

you won’t have to carry those heavy sticks.

I won’t sell you to just anyone.

He’ll be someone special...

who will feed you,

and brush your coat,

and take the burrs out of your tail.

There must be such a man somewhere.

Good night, Small One.

Halt !

State your business, boy.

Uh, I’ve come to sell my donkey, sir.

Hmm ?

I--

Heh-heh. I know of a man in need of such an animal.

Third shop inside these gates.

Thank you, sir.

Baa.

Don’t be nervous.

Try and keep them straight, Small One.

Hello ?

Hello ?

Yes ?

You have a donkey to sell ?

His name...

is Small One.

- One piece of silver. - Will you take good care of him ?

I only want his hide, boy. I’m the tanner.

The tanner ?

Baa.

You want to make leather out of him ?

One piece of silver.

No, I won’t sell him ! I won’t !

No ! No !

He-haw !

He-haw ! He-haw !

I’m sorry, Small One.

Heh-heh.

Ahem !

You know what I mean.

Sir, would you like...

to buy my donkey ?

No, little boy, I will not buy.

That’s a sorry bag of bones I fear.

I have buyers by the dozens, their mothers and cousins.

Take the beast and go away from here.