Don Quixote Volume 2, Chapter 12

That night while eating, Sancho says he was foolish to choose the spoils from his master's first adventure rather than the foals his master had also offered as a reward. (Actually, Sancho did choose the foals - see Chap. 10, pg. 409.) Don Quijote talks about the purpose plays serve; how they show humans their true behavior and nature. Sancho responds insightfully and Don Quijote comments on how he is gaining in wisdom. Sancho attributes it to his hanging around with Don Quijote:

"....for land that's dry and unfruitful will give you good crops, if you put on enough manure....I mean, your grace's words have been like manure spread on the barren ground of my dry and uncultivated mind." Volume 2, Chapter 12, pg. 418

The translator tells the reader that the original author's (Sidi Hamid Benengeli) first draft had more on the amazing friendship of Rocinante and Sancho's donkey; but, he deemed these digressions inappropriate in this heroic tale. These two animals were the best of friends -- helping each other scratch hard-to-reach places and resting neck on neck. The translator feels that it is right for the author to tell of the fabulous friendship of these two animals; for, haven't humans always learned much from the animal kingdom? One example, the translator mentions, is the use of enemas from watching storks.

Topic Tracking: Donkey Imagery 2

After Don Quijote and Sancho fall asleep, they are awakened by the arrival of another knight and his squire nearby. They overhear this "Knight of the Wood" speaking of his ladylove, Casildea of Vandelia who remains ungrateful despite the fact that he has forced so many knights to acknowledge her as the most beautiful woman in the world -- even the Knight of La Mancha! After Don Quijote and Sancho make their presence known, the two knights sit down to get better acquainted while the two squires walk off a ways to chat.