"The Ingenious Gentlemen Don Quixote of La Mancha", or just "Don Quixote", is a Spanish novel by Miguel de Cervantes.

It is often labeled "the first modern European novel" and many authors consider it to be one of the greatest novels ever written. "Don Quixote" also holds the distinction of being the second most-translated book in the world, after the Christian Bible. Originally published in two volumes, in 1605 and 1615, the novel is usually presented as one long volume in modern times.

The plot revolves around the adventures of a noble from La Mancha named Alonso Quixano, who decides to become a knight to revive chivalry, under the name Don Quixote de la Mancha. He recruits a simple farmer, Sancho Panza, as his squire, who often employs humor in dealing with Don Quixote's monologues on knighthood. Don Quixote, in the first part of the book, does not see the world for what it is and prefers to imagine that he is living out a knightly story.

Sancho obediently follows his master, despite being sometimes puzzled by Quixote's actions. Riding a donkey named Dapple, he helps Quixote get out of various conflicts while looking forward to rewards of adventure that Quixote tells him of.

Panza's primary mode of transportation, Dapple, was named by Sancho for sharing the dapple gray coat color sometimes seen on horses.

Dapple is just a plain donkey from the beginning of the book to the end. Sancho loves him dearly and considers him to be a reliable animal.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org