The Man, The Boy, and The Donkey

For my favourite childhood story, I choose the story ‘The Man, The Boy and The Donkey’. First and foremost, I chose this story because the book that I read has lovely arts, and it triggered my interest to read it. Not to mention that this story also has Malay version because of the good lessons that can be found in the story. The lessons also undeniably can be applied in our daily life.

The story is about a man who wanted to sell his donkey, so he and his son went to the town with the donkey. On their way, they received a lot of critics about their actions. All of them were negative. Despite always being looked down by the people in the villages that they need to pass through before reaching the town, they obeyed to what the villages want them to do. This is what happens when we don’t have our own stand and always listen to what other people’s thoughts, as if their decision is the best one for our lives.

As the story goes on, the man and his son changed their position in travelling with the donkey. At first, no one rode the donkey. As the story progress, the boy, the man, and even both of them rode the donkey. Finally, both of them carry the donkey. On their way to the town, they need to cross a bridge. The donkey was badly hurt because of the carrying that has been done, so it struggled and fell into the river and meets its end.

In conclusion, it is true that we value other people’s opinion, but this does not mean that we have to use them. They may be right about something, but it is a total like to say that they know everything about us, and it is an even bigger lie to say that their idea undoubtedly can change our lives to the better.

The Gruffalo

When Dr. Jaya asked us about the title 'The Gruffalo' has close meaning to what word, I immediately thought 'Giraffe', not remembering that there is a word called 'Buffalo''. Haha, it was quite funny how I could forget such simple word. He said that this story is one of the most famous children story in the world. He really knows how to attract our attention. As a result, I paid my full attention when the slides are being shown...

The story is about a mouse, small enough that it has some connection with children nowadays, since all children are small and quite helpless; just like a mouse. Because the mouse is small and helpless, thus many animal try to eat it, by using indirect approach. Maybe because the author doesn't want to put violence inside the story. In the story, the mouse managed to avoid all the 'death traps' by using its intellect; it managed to create a new character named Gruffalo which does not exist, and this new character brings goosebumps into the predator's minds. Hence, all the predators cancel their plans to eat the mouse.


Nevertheless, this story does have a good turning point. The gruffalo is actually exists in the story! The mouse accidentally met him on his way, so he needed to create an idea on how to escape the great predator. He said that the animals in the kingdom are afraid of him. To find out the truth, the gruffalo followed the mouse, by walking behind it. After that, the mouse went to see all the animals that tried to eat him, but all of them were afraid to even have a chat with the mouse. This happened not because they are afraid of the little mouse, but all of them are actually afraid of the gruffalo that is standing behind the mouse. Seeing the proves in front of his eyes, the gruffalo trusted the mouse and ran away from him.

In the end, the small helpless mouse managed to overcome all the obstacles by using his brain. This story will tell the children that strength is not very important, since our brain would also be a powerful weapon when we overcome problems that is beyond our strength...

Edwina the Emu

Edwina the Emu does have its own rhyme. Before I was introduced to the story, I've only heard the word emu but I never knew its meaning. Only then did I know that emu is a type of bird. In the story, I found that it is quite amusing. At first, I thought that the story is only suitable for young kids, but when Dr. Jaya explain about the 'hidden message' in the story; I immediately understand what he meant by that. He is right, the story does have hidden message about sexual relationship. Nevertheless, let us look at the story's plot.


The story started with Edwina lay some eggs, 10 to be precise. By being parents, they will need to have the responsible of taking care of their children. Hence, Edwina went to the city to get a job, while Edward stays at home and take care of their eggs. Edwina went to many places yet she couldn't find a job because of her 'species'. Finally, she went to a restaurant and took a job as a waitress. A customer wanted to have eggs for his stomach. Only then she realizes that her true job is as a mother, and she needs to be by her babies' side at all time. She immediately ran back home and took a job, and it was a relieve since her husband couldn't do the job very well.

In conclusion, this story also has gender roles that are suitable with certain sex. Not to mention that it could help children to understand about it better in order to have a better understanding in their future world.