Short story: Ramon, the Hero Donkey

On a peaceful farm, where the sun shone brightly and the animals grazed happily in the green pastures, lived a donkey named Ramon. From birth, Ramon had been different from the others. He lacked teeth, which gave him a peculiar and somewhat comical appearance. His coat, though soft to the touch, was spotted and unkempt, which contributed to many of the other animals on the farm looking down on him.

The hens, always rambunctious and full of energy, teased him with sarcastic clucks. “Look at the ugly donkey!” they would say with laughter. The pigs, who spent most of the day foraging for food and enjoying the mud, ignored him completely, as if his presence was of no importance. Even the rooster, who always thought he was the king of the barnyard and crowed proudly every morning, scorned Ramón with disdain.

The humans who inhabited the farm were not kind either. They often called Ramon “the ugly donkey” and relegated him to the farthest corners of the barn. Despite the constant teasing and rejection he faced on a daily basis, Ramon never complained. Inwardly, he knew that his appearance did not define his worth or his ability to love and be loved. However, the weight of discrimination accompanied him every day, leaving him with a deep sense of sadness.

One sunny day, as Ramon grazed alone in a corner of the field, he watched the other animals play and laugh together. A feeling of loneliness came over him, but he decided not to let himself be carried away by melancholy. Instead, he began to think about how he could prove himself to others. He set out to be useful in any way he could; to help carry things from one place to another or to take care of the little ones.

However, life on the farm was about to change drastically. One afternoon, as the sun was beginning to set behind the hills and the sky was turning orange and purple, a terrible event transformed the lives of everyone on the farm. Lightning struck the barn during a sudden thunderstorm, causing a raging fire that quickly spread throughout the building. The flames devoured the wood with a terrifying roar and black smoke rose into the sky.

The animals began to run in terror in all directions; their instincts told them to escape from the imminent danger. The humans tried to control the fire with buckets of water and desperate screams, but chaos reigned on the farm. The fire lit up the night with a terrifying glow as the flames devoured everything in their path.

In the midst of this confusion and general panic, Ramon heard a piercing cry that stood out among the roar of the fire: it was the baby of the family, trapped inside the house adjacent to the barn, surrounded by dense smoke and raging flames. In spite of the fear that invaded him and the taunts he had endured for so long, something inside him ignited. Without a second thought and leaving his fears behind, Ramon headed for the house determined to rescue the little boy.

With unwavering bravery, the donkey entered the burning home. The heat was overwhelming and the smoke enveloped him like a dark, impenetrable cloud. However, Ramon did not stop; his determination was stronger than any fear. With his keen sense of smell guiding him through the flames and chaos, he managed to locate the baby crying inconsolably in his crib.

With extreme care not to hurt or frighten him any more than he already was, Ramon lifted the little one with his snout and began to back slowly toward the exit. The flames danced dangerously close to him as he dodged the dangers that lurked at every step.

He finally made it out into the open just as the humans were beginning to get the fire under control. The scene was chaotic; however, upon seeing the donkey emerge triumphantly with the baby safely between its front legs, everyone's jaws dropped. At that critical moment, fear turned to absolute admiration.

The inhabitants of the farm watched in amazement as Ramon risked his life to save the little one. The animals that had previously mocked him now looked on with renewed respect; even the chickens stopped clucking and looked on with eyes full of wonder. The humans, with tears in their eyes from the mixture of relief and gratitude, embraced both the baby and Ramon, thanking him for his unmatched bravery.

From that pivotal day on the farm, Ramon's life changed dramatically. He was no longer considered “the ugly donkey” with no teeth; he had become a hero revered by all. The other animals accepted him fully and began to respect him as one of their own. They recognized that his true value lay not only in his bravery but also in his generous heart.

Ramón learned an invaluable lesson: although sometimes the world can be cruel and unfair, true beauty lies in selfless actions and the courage to do the right thing when it matters most. So it was that on that farm once filled with mockery and indifference towards him, the once laughed-at donkey became an enduring symbol of courage and friendship.

With each new dawn on the farm, Ramon remembered his heroic experience not only as a pivotal moment in his life but also as proof of the power of love and compassion over superficial appearances. From then on, every living thing learned that everyone has a unique value that goes far beyond what is perceived at first glance; a lesson that would resonate for generations among the creatures of the countryside.

Source of the images.
Image created with Starryai.