Donkey constellation

Author: Zhao Hua
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-06-01
Features: "Dad, what constellation is this?" Donkey Dongqi pointed at the sky and asked. "It's the Swan Constellation." "And that one?" "That's the Big Bear Constellation." "The one with seven stars in the east?" "Hmm, that's the Little Bear Constellation." "Dad, why are there both the Big Bear Constellation and the Little Bear Constellation in the sky, but no Donkey Constellation?" Dongqi felt very disappointed. "Perhaps this is due to people's prejudice," Dad also felt a bit sad. "People don't like donkeys; they think we are foolish and timid animals, so they haven't named a constellation for us." "I hope one day there will be a Donkey Constellation in the sky, one that truly looks like a donkey." Dongqi said indignantly. "It's impossible for a donkey to change people's minds or move the stars," Dad said to the innocent Dongqi. But to prevent Dongqi from getting too discouraged, he comforted him, "Having dreams is always a good thing. I've heard that if you believe in your dreams, they will come true." Dongqi nodded thoughtfully, then gazed at the brilliant stars in the night sky. Dad didn't notice tears welling up in his eyes.
Time is like a fierce beast running forward. In the blink of an eye, Dongqi had grown up, and his father had grown old, eventually leaving him forever. Those joyful days of watching stars and searching for tender grass together were gone, and Dongqi had to survive alone in this vast forest. Dongqi finally realized how difficult it was to be a donkey, and all the animals called him a foolish donkey. When they encountered him, they either laughed at him or mocked him.
Once, Dongqi saw Brown Bear Kawo teaching the little bears to identify the constellations in the sky. He remembered the days he used to spend with his father watching the stars and stopped to lean closer. But Kawo, upon noticing him, rudely chased him away and lectured the little brown bears, "Don't associate with donkeys; they are all foolish and cowardly." "Why are donkeys foolish and cowardly?" one little brown bear asked in confusion. "Don't you understand? My dear, there are both the Big Bear Constellation and the Little Bear Constellation in the sky, and even scorpions have their own constellations, but donkeys don't. That alone is enough to show you what they are like," Kawo said with a grin. Dongqi's heart ached, and tears streamed down his eyes, but he had to be strong to live bravely.
One morning, Dongqi and goat Espa went to the open ground at the edge of the forest to look for dew-covered grass. Espa was Dongqi's only friend because he was often bullied too. The grass and wildflowers on the open ground were fresh and sweet, and chewing on them gave a delightful taste. Dongqi and Espa buried their heads in the grass. Just then, a whistling sound suddenly came from the sky, followed by something falling near Espa. Espa jumped in surprise, almost choking on the grass. He turned around, blinked his eyes, and then jumped up joyfully, shouting, "A meteor! I'm rich! It's a meteor!" It was indeed a meteor that had fallen from the sky, still glowing.