The Golden Asse

"The Golden Asse" by Apuleius is an ancient Roman novel written in the 2nd century CE. The story follows Lucius, whose dangerous curiosity about magic leads to a botched spell that transforms him into a donkey instead of a bird. Trapped in animal form, he embarks on an extraordinary journey filled with thieves, witches, and captivating tales. Only by eating fresh roses can he regain human shape—but finding them proves far more difficult than expected in this fantastical adventure of transformation and redemption.

The Golden Asse, by Apuleius. Republished by OpenStories from Project Gutenberg eBook #1666.