Memoirs of a donkey
Memoirs of a Donkey is a literary work by the Countess of Ségur, published in 1860, recounting in an autobiographical style the memories of Cadichon, a “learned donkey” to whom many adventures happen.
Summary
A donkey named Cadichon wrote his memoirs to recount the adventures of his life with peasant common sense and liveliness that some men sometimes lack. At the beginning of the story, he says that his mistress is a farmer's wife who mistreats him. He, therefore, decides to escape and lives in the woods for a while. However, he will have other masters. Some will treat him well, and he will reciprocate by being docile and helpful. For example, he will save little Pauline from a fire. On the other hand, if we don't treat him well, the donkey doesn't give in and he fights back. He is finally taken in by Jacques and his cousins, who are staying in their grandmother's castle. He is happy there, but his resentful and mocking side distances him from his masters. He hurts little Auguste because he holds him responsible for the death of his friend, the dog Médor, accidentally killed during a hunting trip. However, he realizes that he needs to change and behave better. He, therefore, decides to make amends with the little boy, whom he saves twice, when he is being chased by dogs and then when he is about to drown. From then on, Cadichon became truly good. The morality desired by the Countess of Ségur is clearly expressed in the novel: it is not enough to have wit or to be resourceful; you must also, above all, have a heart to be loved and to be happy.
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