One fine day, an old donkey ran away from his master’s yard. Prickling his ears, he had heard that the farmer was going to sell him to a butcher! After walking for a while, he came across a very distressed dog.
“My master chased me away because I was too old to guard his house,” the dog told him.
Then, the two animals decided to go further together, with the intention of reaching the city of Bremen, where, they said, they would become musicians and earn their living by singing. On the way, the two met an old cat and a tired rooster, who joined them. As the evening had fallen, and they still had a long way to Bremen, they thought of staying the night in a small house on the side of the road.
Even though there was no movement inside, the house was bright as day.
When they got closer, they saw through the window of the house two robbers, who were just preparing their dinner. And so many goodies were there on the table, that the mouths of the four friends were watering!
Then, on the spot, they made a plan! The dog jumps into the donkey’s crotch, the cat climbs onto the dog’s back, and the rooster flies right onto the cat’s pile. And, in one voice, but each in his own way, they began to sing! Well, that was the only way they had been able to earn their daily bread, singing! However, the deafening clamor that came out made the two robbers inside think that they had been attacked by some terrible beast. And that immediately put them on the run. Seeing themselves alone, the four friends sat down at the table and partook of the tasty dishes. After feasting lavishly, the four “musicians” turned off the light and chose their beds, each to his heart’s desire and according to his nature. That same night, one of the two robbers dared to return and enter the house. But the cat scratched him to the point of blood, the donkey kicked him with its hooves, the dog bit him on the leg, and the rooster pecked him from where he also escaped.
Frightened, the robber ran away and neither he nor his accomplice dared to show themselves there. And the four “musicians” felt so good in that little house that they didn’t even bother to leave. And they lived happily ever after!