That of the mule’s head? That of the bourrique who advances only with a carrot? or the deceitful animal ready to kick you. Or the dunce at school with his donkey cap? Maybe you think of Buridan’s donkey undecided to the end…
Depending on our culture and our time, the representative of the donkey varies from one extreme to the other. For those who liked Shrek, you may have a more sympathetic representation of the donkey.
In reality, the donkey is an animal that needs to be reassured. He observes the obstacles before embarking. It is a cautious animal. A donkey educates itself but does not stand up. He hates despots and has an excellent memory.
A donkey pampered and well understood by his masters will give complete satisfaction. The donkey is a workman still used by man to tow, carry, plough and recently for walking and hiking leisure. He is very patient with young children who can approach him without too much risk. The donkey is a good guardian: it has no equal to give the alert when something “wrong” in its environment by pushing its famous cry “the braiement”. “
By its behavior, the donkey is a mirror, it reflects what we are and especially what we do not want to see of ourselves. Everyone else’s scoundrel after all. The donkey’s mission is to educate us to be neither shadow nor light. He invites us to be just, to be aligned and centered….