It is a part of the Bibliothèque rose illustrée collection by the publishing house Hachette.

The story is told in an autobiographical style, recounting the memoirs of Cadichon, a learned donkey who experiences numerous adventures.

[1][2] The story revolves around a donkey named Cadichon who writes his memoirs to narrate the adventures of his life with peasant wisdom and vivacity that some humans sometimes lack.

He injures little Auguste because he holds him responsible for the death of his friend, the dog Médor, accidentally shot during a hunting party.

The moral intended by the Comtesse de Ségur is clearly expressed in the novel: it is not enough to have wit or be resourceful: you must also and above all have a heart in order to be loved and to be happy.