The children, Thomas and Bethan, were staying with their grandparents for the summer. They loved their visits as Grandpa had a house in the country where they could run in the fields and play in the little stream nearby. Also, Grandpa could tell wonderful bedtime stories, in fact Thomas and Bethan loved them so much they almost didn't mind going to bed!
'Who is ready for a story?' called Grandpa the first evening.
'We are' they both shouted eagerly and they ran to curl up on the rug at Grandpa's feet.
'Now what shall it be tonight?' Grandpa asked thoughtfully.'Would you like to hear my animal stories?'
Thomas and Bethan loved animals so they nodded their heads excitedly.'Oh, yes, Grandpa, we would love that'.
'Many, many years ago, in a country far away there was a stable' Grandpa began.

The stable was very quiet, the only noise which broke the silence was the cooing of the doves and pigeons as they sat in the rafters of the stable. Down below, lying peacefully on the straw, was a Donkey. He was getting rather old now, and was quite content to spend the rest of his days thinking over the things he had done when he was young.
Suddenly one of the pigeons spoke to him. 'I suppose you have done many interesting things in your life, Donkey, why not tell us whilst everything is quiet.'
'Well' answered the Donkey looking up at the pigeons, 'I have had an interesting life, and I will be very happy to tell you about it. I am getting rather old now and can't do the things I used to do when I was younger, but often as I lie here my mind goes back, and I remember when I was only a very young colt.
'And that is how the Donkey began his story.
'Yes' he said, 'I can even remember the field where I first played. It was a beautiful field with a lovely stream at the bottom, and I was very happy there. Then one day, and I remember it so well, my Master came to the field, he had another man with him and they looked at me very carefully then the stranger said 'Yes, he is a fine colt, I'll buy him'.The next day my new Master brought me to my new home, here in the Village. I wasn't given any work to do as I was still very young, he was waiting until I was bigger and stronger.'Here the Donkey paused to make sure they were still listening.
They were, and so were many other animals who had crept in and were quietly listening to his story. An owl had joined the pigeons and doves on the rafters; a number of mice were sitting at the Donkey's feet; and a hedgehog was close by them.
Satisfied that they were all interested in his story, the Donkey continued.'And now I have come to the part in my life which I love the best. My most thrilling experience!
'Oh! do go on' said the pigeons. 'We are longing to hear about it'.
'Yes' agreed the other animals.
'Well, I was tied to a door' the Donkey continued. 'You know, at the place where the two roads meet'.
'I know it well' said the owl, 'I often fly over there'.
'I had been there for some time'said the Donkey, 'When two men came and began to loose me. They seemed to be kind men, and although I didn't know them, I wasn't afraid. I could also sense a feeling of excitement in the air. Whilst the men were untying me I heard some of the men who were standing nearby ask them 'Why are you loosing the colt?' Then the two men said a strange thing

The Donkey paused, and again looking around at all the animals said solemnly 'From that moment I knew something wonderful was about to happen.
Without another word I was led away to just outside the Village where I saw a small group of men. I didn't take much notice of them for I was looking at their Leader.
I can remember His face perfectly even now, for once you have looked into His face, you can never forget Him.
One of the men asked 'Jesus, are you going to ride him!?'And Jesus answered 'Yes, right into Jerusalem'.
'But you had never been ridden before' interrupted the hedgehog.'Were you very afraid?'
Donkey smiled. 'I wasn't afraid' he answered. 'Not at all, for by now I knew who He was'.The other men put coats on me, and then Jesus stood beside me.
Although I was only a very humble colt I knew by the way He looked at me that He loved me, and needed me. Jesus then sat on my back, and I didn't feel at all strange. I knew that He would take care of me, and I vowed to myself that I, too, would take care of Him.
I walked very carefully down the road where men began laying their coats and branches on the ground before us. They were shouting "Hosanna, Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord", but I didn't hear them for I was shouting "Hosanna" myself. The other men didn't know this, but I'm sure the Master did. I carried Him into Jerusalem' Donkey whispered softly,
'And I could hear people asking "Who is this?".
I could have told them "It is Jesus, the Son of God." But they wouldn't have listened to me.
My Master got off my back, patted me and thanked me, and the last I saw of Him was as He went into the Temple with his friends.
'Again there was silence in the stable.
'You were quite right' said one of the Doves at last. 'That was a wonderful moment in your life.'
'After that' Donkey said, 'I just came back here and began to do the ordinary work of a donkey, but all the time as I worked I would remember my Master, and the wonderful day when I carried Him into Jerusalem.
'After a pause, one of the pigeons said quietly 'Donkey, we know your Master. We have also seen Him, and can tell you a very interesting story.'
'I, too' said a sparrow excitedly. He had flown in quite unnoticed. 'My friends and I saw something quite astonishing.'
All at once everyone began talking. The Donkey could hear the mice squeaking 'We know Him, we know Him' and the Hedgehog's deep voice rumbling 'Don't forget me, I, too, have an amazing story to tell you all'.
'Quiet' laughed the Donkey. 'Don't all talk at once'.
'Quite right' said Mr. Cat, who roused himself from his comfortable seat. 'I'm sure my story of the Master is the most interesting so I shall tell you MY story first - tomorrow night'.
No-one spoke. They were well used to Mr.Cat and his superior ways so they just nodded in agreement.
'Tomorrow night, then' said Donkey. 'I shall look forward to seeing you all again, and listening to your story, Mr. Cat'.
'Then can we tell you ours?' Donkey looked around,three or four voices had spoken together.
'We will see' he said.
And so the animals left the stable looking forward to the next evening's story, and leaving the Donkey quietly munching his straw and thinking, yet again, of His Master whom he had so lovingly carried into Jerusalem.
Elizabeth Aynsley 96/09/20 ©

Mark CH.11 Vs.1 to 10