The Donkey's Mom character

CEFR A2+ Level

Understand simple texts and stories that deal with common topics of interest.

The Donkey’s Mom

Adapted by Imed Sdiri from a Bahraini Folktale

Once upon a time, in a small village in the Kingdom of Bahrain, children loved to play all ‎day long. They ran in the streets, laughed in the sun, and forgot to listen to their parents.‎

But not everyone forgot.‎

The good children listened to their mothers and fathers. They stayed home during the hot ‎afternoon. They helped in the house and came back before dark.‎

But the others… they went out when the sun was high. They ran far away into the dusty roads. They didn’t listen.‎

And that is when the Donkey’s Mom came.‎

She was not like other monsters. She had long ears, red eyes, and a voice that sounded ‎like the wind and the desert together. Her feet were strong like a donkey’s, and her face ‎was half-human, half-beast.‎

Every summer afternoon, when the village was quiet and hot, she walked the empty ‎streets, looking for naughty children who didn’t stay home.‎

‎“Hee-haw... where are the bad ones?” she would whisper.‎

One day, little Abdulla didn’t listen to his mother.

‎“Don’t go out now,” she warned. “It’s too hot. And the Donkey’s Mom is out there.”

But Abdulla laughed. “There’s no monster! I’m not afraid!”‎

He ran into the street, past the corner, into the empty field. The sun was strong. The village ‎was silent.‎

Then he heard it…‎

‎“Hee-haw... I smell disobedience!”‎

He turned. He saw long ears. Red eyes. Dust flying.‎

It was her.‎

Abdulla screamed and ran as fast as he could. He jumped over stones, ran past palm trees, and rushed home.

He never looked back.‎

From that day, Abdulla always listened to his mother. And all the children in the village told ‎his story.‎

Because no one wanted to meet the Donkey’s Mom.‎

The moral of The Donkey’s Mom is simple:‎ Children should listen to their parents’ advice—especially when it concerns their safety.

The folktale uses the figure of a frightening creature, the Donkey’s Mom, as a symbol of ‎possible danger. It shows that rules and warnings are usually given out of care and ‎protection, not control.‎

And now, we are glad to share with you a beautiful song about the Donkey’s Mom and the ‎importance of listening to your parents’ advice.

We hope you will enjoy it. And don’t forget ‎to listen to your parents’ advice. They love you and always want the best for you.‎

The Donkey’s Mom
Lyrics by Imed Sdiri

[Verse]
The sun is high it burns the land
Stay inside my son take my hand
The heat it creeps it takes its toll
Listen close child hear my soul

[Chorus]
Beware the Donkey's Mom my dear
She stalks the roads when skies are clear
She'll find the ones who disobey
And take them where the shadows stay

[Verse 2]
The streets may call the world may sing
But danger hides in summer's sting
The ground it cracks the air it roars
The Donkey's Mom she guards the doors

[Chorus]
Beware the Donkey's Mom my dear
She waits for kids who won't adhere
She'll take you where no light will show
So heed my words and do not go

[Bridge]
Her eyes are fire her breath is ice
She punishes those who won't think twice
She whispers warnings in the heat
Stay safe my son do not repeat

[Chorus]
Beware the Donkey's Mom my dear
Her shadow's close her voice you'll hear
She watches when the sun's too high
Stay in the shade and you'll get by