The Duration of Life (Grimm)
Division into sections is editorial.
The asss plea for a shorter life
When God finished creating the world, he began determining how long each creature would live. The first to approach him was the ass, who asked about his lifespan. God told him he would live thirty years and asked if this satisfied him. The ass was dismayed by this lengthy sentence.
The ass pleaded with God, explaining his miserable existence.
Ah, Lord, that is a long time. Think of my painful existence! To carry heavy burdens from morning to night, to drag sacks of corn to the mill, that others may eat bread
He continued that he received nothing but blows and kicks for his faithful service, and begged God to relieve him of some of this long time. Moved by compassion, God took pity on the ass and reduced his lifespan by eighteen years. The ass departed, comforted by this mercy.
The dogs request for fewer years
Next came the dog, and God asked how long he wished to live. God noted that thirty years had been too many for the ass, but surely the dog would be satisfied with that span. However, the dog also found this duration troubling and questioned whether this was truly God's will.
The dog explained his concerns about the future.
Consider how I shall have to run, my feet will never hold out so long, and when I have once lost my voice for barking, and my teeth for biting, what will be left for me?
He feared he would only be able to run from corner to corner and growl. God recognized the wisdom in the dog's argument and released him from twelve years of life. The dog left, grateful for this reduction.
The monkeys desire for less time
The monkey appeared next, and God asked if he would willingly live thirty years. God pointed out that the monkey had no need to work like the ass and dog, and would always enjoy himself. But the monkey disagreed, explaining that appearances could be deceiving.
The monkey shared his philosophical observation about his existence.
When it rains porridge I have no spoon... if they give me an apple, and I bite into it, why it is sour! How often sadness hides itself behind mirth!
He explained that he was always expected to play merry pranks and make faces to force people to laugh, but behind his entertainment lay hidden sorrow. The monkey declared he could never endure thirty years of such existence. God showed mercy and took away ten years from his life.
Mans request for more years and the final arrangement
Finally, man appeared before God, joyous, healthy, and vigorous, requesting that God appoint his time. God told him he would live thirty years and asked if this was sufficient. Man was horrified by what he considered such a brief span.
Man protested the brevity of his allotted time.
What a short time, when I have built my house and my fire burns on my own hearth; when I have planted trees which blossom and bear fruit, and am just intending to enjoy my life
Man begged God to lengthen his time. God offered to add the ass's eighteen years, but man declared this insufficient. God then offered the dog's twelve years as well, but man still complained it was too little. Finally, God granted him the monkey's ten years also, but refused to give more. Man departed, still unsatisfied with his allotment.
Thus man came to live seventy years total. The arrangement determined the character of human life at different stages.
The first thirty are his human years, which are soon gone; then is he healthy, merry, works with pleasure, and is glad of his life.
Then followed the ass's eighteen years, when burdens were laid upon him and he carried corn to feed others, receiving blows and kicks as reward. Next came the dog's twelve years, when he lay in corners growling with no teeth to bite. Finally came the monkey's ten years, when man became weak-headed and foolish, doing silly things and becoming the jest of children.