Fairy tales for young and old ~ English version

The Dog Who Wanted to be a Cow

 Once upon a time, in a lush green valley surrounded by towering mountains, there lived a small dog named Barkley. Barkley was unlike any other dog in the valley; he had a peculiar wish—he wanted to be a cow.

Barkley would watch the cows in the meadow every day, admiring their calm demeanor and the way they contributed to the farm. He saw how the farmer would pat them gently, thanking them for the milk they provided. Barkley longed for that sense of purpose.

One day, Barkley decided to act on his wish. He rolled around in the mud to make himself look like a cow and even tried to graze on the grass, but it just made him sneeze. The cows watched him with gentle eyes, and one old cow, Elsie, approached him.

"Why do you want to be a cow, little one?" Elsie asked.

Barkley replied, "I want to be helpful to the farmer and be appreciated like you."

Elsie let out a soft moo and said, "Barkley, you are helpful in your own way. You guard the farm at night, keep the farmer company, and you're always there to greet us with your cheerful bark. We may give milk, but you give joy and protection. That's your purpose."

Barkley thought about Elsie's words and realized that he did have a place on the farm, just as important as the cows. From that day on, Barkley embraced his role with pride. He understood that every creature, no matter how big or small, has its unique part to play in the world.

And so, Barkley the dog continued to live happily in the valley, never again wishing to be anything but himself.