THE ASS AND THE DOOR-LATCH. 85

The next night, curious to know how this had happened,
he watched from a window overlooking the yard. At first he
kept a light burning near him. The ass, however, remained
quietly at his stall. After a time, to enable him to see the
better, he removed the light. To his great surprise the sup-
posed stupid donkey came out of the shed, went to the door, and,
rearing himself on his hind-legs, drew back the upper bolt
of the door with his nose. This done, he next withdrew the

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

lower bolt; then he lifted the latch, and walked into the garden,
He did not spend a long time roaming there, but when he
returned he had a bunch of carrots in his mouth. Placing
them in his shed, he went back and carefully closed the door,
and began at his ease to munch the food he had so cleverly got.

The owner, afraid that people would not believe his story,
invited several of his neighbours to witness the actions of

the ass. Not till the light, however, had been taken away