The Adventures of a Donkey facts for kids

The Adventures of a Donkey is a British children's storybook written in 1815. It was created by Arabella Argus, who also wrote other books like Ostentation and Liberality and The Further Adventures of Jemmy Donkey. This book tells the tale of a young donkey named Jemmy.

The story follows Jemmy's life as a service animal, meaning he works for people. Jemmy himself tells the story, so you get to see his thoughts and how he grows. It also gives a cool look into what life was like for a working animal in the 1800s.

Jemmy's Journey: A Plot Summary

Early Life and First Owners

A young donkey named Jemmy grows up on a farm. He lives with his mother, father, and a wise mentor named Balaam. When Jemmy is about eighteen months old, Farmer Howel sells him. Jemmy goes to live with the Fenton family. He is looked after by Master Frederick.

One day, Master Frederick scares Jemmy. Jemmy kicks out by accident and hits a chicken. Master Frederick threatens to punish him severely. His cousins, Charles and Marianne Fairfax, see this. They tell Master Fenton, who is Master Frederick's father. Master Fenton decides to sell Jemmy to stop the cruelty. Jemmy is then sold to Dr Manton.

Life with the Mantons and a Sad Loss

Dr Manton, his son George, and George's love, Caroline Morden, are very kind. They treat Jemmy well. While with the Manton family, Jemmy meets Jenkins. Jenkins is the stable hand. He rarely takes care of Jemmy, but when he does, he is mean.

Caroline becomes very sick. Her condition gets worse over weeks. This means Jemmy doesn't have a job for a while. Jemmy learns there will be a trip to Bristol. Caroline, George, and Dr Manton leave quickly. Two weeks later, they return. Jemmy finds out that Caroline has passed away.

Lost and Found: A New Master

One day, Jemmy feels restless. He walks down a lane next to the house. He wanders too far and is taken by a homeless man named Dan. One night, while eating dinner, Jemmy overhears a woman. She tells Dan that someone is looking for a lost donkey in Tunbridge.

Dan decides to take Jemmy to Tunbridge the next day. He wants to see if anyone recognizes him. They walk around Tunbridge and come to an inn. A voice from the inn window shouts at them. It is Jenkins! He tells Dan that this is his master's donkey, which went missing weeks ago. Dan gives Jemmy to Jenkins and leaves. Jenkins ties Jemmy outside the inn. He goes back inside to finish his drink and card game. During the game, Jenkins bets Jemmy. He loses. Jemmy is then given to Mr Staples.

Reunion and New Adventures

Jemmy's new home is an old shed. He shares it with Balaam and another donkey named Juba. Jemmy and Balaam talk about old times. Jemmy tells Balaam about his travels since leaving Farmer Howel's farm. Later, Jemmy is sent to work. He and other donkeys give rides to children on a hillside.

His first passenger is a young lady named Lady Harriet. They ride to Lady Harriet's home. Her mother and father see how much she likes Jemmy. They decide to buy him. Jemmy is very happy about having a new loving family. But he is sad to leave Balaam. Jemmy's new owners, the Hampton family, have two children: Lady Harriet and Master Hubert.

More Owners and Hard Times

After one month, Jemmy is taken back to work for Mr Staples. He goes back to his usual duties. After some time, Jemmy is sent to go with Tom, Staples' sick son. They go to Bromley to stay with Tom's cousin. Staples tells his cousin to find a buyer for Jemmy there. The cousin agrees and sells Jemmy to a sandman. While working for the sandman, Jemmy doesn't get enough food. He becomes weak. He is sent to Blackheath to get his strength back. There, the Turner family buys him.

Jemmy enjoys a few happy months with the Turner family. But near Christmas, Mr Turner decides to give Jemmy as a gift to an old friend, Mrs Arnot. Her horse had died. Shortly before Christmas, Jemmy is taken to London to meet his new owner. After a few months of working happily for Mrs Arnot, she gets sick and passes away. Everything she owns goes to her nephew, Jenkins. This is the same Jenkins who was the stable hand for the Manton family. He quickly sells everything, including Jemmy, and leaves.

Jemmy is sold to Mr Carter. While with Mr Carter, Jemmy falls and breaks his knees. After this accident, Mr Carter has no use for Jemmy. He sells him to Mrs Dawes, a laundress from Kensington.

Escape and a Final Home

While with Mrs Dawes, Jemmy sees Jenkins break into the yard. Jenkins tries to steal some linen. He is caught and sent overseas. After this, Jemmy meets another donkey named Bobby. Bobby knows Balaam. He tells Jemmy that Balaam is sick. Jemmy thinks about escaping to be with him.

Jemmy is sent to work for Mr Ford at a fair near Hampstead. This is close to where Balaam lives. He decides to escape the fair after nightfall to be with Balaam. When night comes, Jemmy runs away from the fair. He arrives at Balaam's home a little before morning. Jemmy and Balaam meet again and talk for a long time.

A gentleman walks past. Jemmy recognizes him as George Manton. Jemmy runs towards him. George is not sure at first if it's Jemmy. But he soon realizes it is and is very happy to see him. George tells Mr Ford that he wants to keep Jemmy. They agree. Jemmy is very pleased with his new life. He is in the field next to Balaam. He can often entertain George's cousins, who are children.

One night, Jemmy wanders off. He finds some vine fruits and starts eating them right away. George's neighbor's servant thinks there's an intruder. He fires shots, and one hits Jemmy's tail. Jemmy runs away and hides in a nearby barn. But while trying to escape the barn, a large beam falls on his back. Jemmy gets a terrible injury. When George learns of his injury, he gives Jemmy to his cousin Charles to care for him.

Writing Memoirs and a Sad Farewell

While recovering, Jemmy decides to write his life story, called memoirs. But he needs Balaam's approval. Balaam suggests they gather all the greatest donkeys they know. They will ask them for their thoughts. Balaam, Juba, and eight of their closest friends gather. They hear Jemmy's idea. After thinking it over, they approve.

After the meeting, Jemmy doesn't see Balaam for a few days. He asks Juba about him. Juba explains to Jemmy that Balaam had died the morning after the meeting. Jemmy is very sad. He decides to dedicate his memoirs to his dear friend and mentor, Balaam.

Who's Who: Main Characters

• Jemmy - The main character of the story.
• Mamma - Jemmy's mother.
• Papa - Jemmy's father.
• Balaam - Jemmy's friend and mentor.
• Farmer Howel - Jemmy's first owner.
• Master Fenton - Jemmy's second owner.
• Mrs Fenton - Master Fenton's wife.
• Master Frederick - The son of Master and Mrs Fenton.
• Charles Fairfax - Master and Mrs Fenton's nephew.
• Marianne Fairfax - Charles Fairfax's sister.
• Dr Manton - Jemmy's third owner.
• George Manton - Dr Manton's son; later Jemmy's twelfth owner.
• Caroline Morden - George Manton's love.
• Jenkins - Dr Manton's stable hand; later Mrs Arnot's nephew.
• Dan - A homeless man; Jemmy's fourth owner.
• Mr Staples - Jemmy's fifth owner.
• Juba - A donkey who shares a shed with Jemmy and Balaam.
• Earl of Hampton - Jemmy's sixth owner.
• Lady Hampton - The Earl of Hampton's wife.
• Lady Harriet - The Earl and Lady Hampton's daughter.
• Master Hubert - Lady Harriet's brother.
• Mr Maxwell - A bricklayer who hires Jemmy for a short time.
• Thomas - Mr Staples' son.
• Cousin Smith - Mr Staples' cousin.
• The Sandman - Jemmy's seventh owner.
• Mrs Ellis - A laundress who cares for Jemmy.
• Mr Turner - Jemmy's eighth owner.
• Maria Turner - Mr Turner's oldest daughter.
• Emma Turner - Mr Turner's second oldest daughter.
• Charlotte Turner - Mr Turner's youngest daughter.
• Mrs Arnot - A family friend of the Turner family; Jemmy's ninth owner.
• Mrs Corsan - Mrs Arnot's neighbor.
• Mr Carter - Jemmy's tenth owner.
• Jack Carter - Mr Carter's son.
• Mrs Dawes - A laundress; Jemmy's eleventh owner.
• Bobby - A donkey and Jemmy's friend while at Mrs Dawes'.
• Mr Ford - Jemmy's temporary owner at the fair.
• Charlotte Herbert - George Manton's cousin.
• Charles Herbert - Charlotte Herbert's son; Jemmy's thirteenth owner.
• Mr Crosby - George Manton's neighbor.