One day, a Chinese man rode a black donkey past an unknown town at the foot of a high mountain. Tired and hungry, he tied the donkey to a post and went into a restaurant to eat.
The townspeople had never seen a donkey, so many gathered to look at the strange animal. When a boy touched its neck, the donkey suddenly brayed. The strange noise frightened the child, who ran away. Later, as a woman walked by, the donkey kicked out with a hind leg. Though unhurt, the woman and all the onlookers were scared away.
Seeing everyone flee, the donkey felt proud, thinking himself the most powerful animal in the world. As his master had not returned, the donkey broke loose, sneaked out of town, and went up the mountain to explore the wild.
In the woods, he soon met a tiger. The tiger, having never seen a donkey either, dared not approach and was ready to run. Just then, the donkey brayed. The strange noise startled the tiger, causing it to retreat a few steps and watch from a distance.
The donkey was pleased, thinking the tiger a coward like the boy in town. He brayed again. This time, the tiger did not retreat but took a few steps closer, though still not daring to act. Remembering the scared woman, the donkey kicked out with a hind leg. This action frightened the tiger, making it hesitate about whether to stay or flee.
Believing the tiger was terrified of his "talents," the donkey kept braying and kicking. He never realized that the more he did so, the less afraid the tiger became.
Finally, the tiger understood that aside from braying and kicking, the donkey had no other abilities. The tiger then pounced and easily killed the poor, foolish animal.