Donkey Skin Chronicle

Author: Balzac
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1996-05-01
Features: The noble-born youth Valentin becomes bankrupt and plunges into social circles, ending up in dire straits. When preparing to commit suicide by drowning, an antiquarian gives him a magical skin of a donkey. This donkey skin can grant him any wish, whether good or evil, but the moment a wish is fulfilled, the skin shrinks and his lifespan shortens accordingly. Initially, he dismisses it as nonsense and makes a wish casually. After becoming a millionaire, he horrifyingly discovers the skin has shrunk, and from then on, he lives in constant fear of watching the skin continue to shrink. As a result, he cannot enjoy his good fortune, cannot grow old with his beloved girl, and helplessly watches the coming of his own end.