Thomas and Bethan had just finished lunch when Grandpa asked 'Would you like to go for a walk in the woods this afternoon?'
'Yes' they both answered. 'Do you think we will see any squirrels? We did last time!'
'I should think so' Grandpa said. 'Let's see if Grandma has any nuts we could take.'
The children ran to the kitchen and soon returned with a bag full of nuts which they waved triumphantly under Grandpa's nose!
'Got them, Grandpa' they shouted.
'All right. All right' said Grandpa hastily stepping backwards. 'Off we go then'.
It didn't take long to reach the woods, and they had a lovely afternoon watching the squirrels running up and down the trees and taking great leaps from branch to branch. The children were delighted, but what they enjoyed most was when the squirrels came to them and took the nuts right out of their hands.
'You know what story we shall want tonight, Grandpa, don't you?' said Thomas when they were back home.
'Now let me think' said Grandpa, pretending not to know. 'Could it be a squirrel story?'
Bethan giggled. 'You know it is, Grandpa. Have you got one?'
'Yes, I do believe I have' he replied. 'Sit quietly and I'll begin.'

'Do you mind if I come in?'
The animals looked to where the stable door stood open, and there, in the doorway, the sun streaming in behind him, stood a Squirrel.
'I was hoping to meet my cousin here' he said as he looked around the stable. 'I've heard of your storytime, and I would love to join you, if you don't mind'.
'We would be delighted' answered Donkey. 'We take it in turn to tell a story about Jesus. Have you such a story?'
'Oh, yes' the Squirrel said eagerly. 'I can tell you a story.'
The Donkey looked round at the other animals enquiringly. They were all nodding their heads in agreement.
Just then in ran the expected Squirrel - 'Sam' he cried delightedly as he almost knocked over his cousin.
'You found your way here all right then?'
'It looks like it' laughed Sam.
'Come over here beside me' said Donkey as he moved slightly to make room for the cousins. So the Squirrels settled themselves comfortably.
'Thank you' Sam said quietly, then, looking up at Donkey, asked 'Has everyone told their story?'
'No, not everyone' Donkey replied as he looked up at the sparrows and the Owl, then into the corner where hedgehog was curled up. 'There are lots more to be told.'
'And we love listening to our stories over and over again' squeaked a little mouse. 'We never get tired of them.'
Sam looked at them as voices came from all over the stable saying 'Yes, we love them' 'They always seem new to us.'
'Then shall we ask Squirrel to be our storyteller tonight, Donkey?' asked hedgehog.
'Yes, why not' agreed Donkey, and bending his head towards Sam asked 'Would you like to tell us your story tonight Sam?'
'I certainly would' Sam replied. 'And my cousin here was also with me, weren't you?’
'Oh, that's good' barked Mr. Dog.
Sam wriggled with pleasure 'Then it will be an honour to share our story with you. But we wouldn't want to take anyone's turn' and he glanced round the stable rather anxiously.
'No. No' they all said.
'It was about time we heard Squirrel's story anyhow' added Mr. Cat.
'Then I shall begin' said Sam happily. 'We travel quite a lot, you know' he began. 'And one day whilst we were at a family gathering in Jericho an amazing thing happened. We had just finished a delicious meal, and were resting in the sycamore tree chatting about our families when we saw a man - a very well dressed man - climbing our tree! Do you remember?' and he turned to his cousin who laughed.
'I remember very well' he said. 'We were absolutely astonished. We had never seen a man climbing a tree. Small boys, yes, but never a man!'
'It was then we heard the noise of a crowd coming nearer' continued Sam. 'So I ran up the tree to the very top, and sure enough many people were coming down the road. In fact the road was lined with people!'
At this point the sparrows began twittering amongst themselves, so Sam paused.
Everyone turned to the sparrows wondering why they were chattering.
'Oh, please forgive us, Sam' one of them said. 'We were just saying how true it is that almost everywhere Jesus went a crowd followed him. We know, because we often followed Him too. But we do beg your pardon for interrupting.'
'That's quite all right' said their new friend. 'I know how exciting these stories can be' and so he continued. 'When I saw the crowds I hurried down the tree to join my cousins on the lower branches. They had also heard the crowd which came nearer and nearer until they were directly under our tree. And I saw Jesus, so Clearly. He looked up into the tree and spoke to the man "Hello, Zacchaeus, come on down, I'm coming to your house for tea!"
'Who was Zacchaeus?' asked Mr. Dog, his hair bristling with excitement.
'We asked our Jericho cousins that very same question' Squirrel said. 'And we were most surprised to hear that the people did not like him at all' added Sam.
'That's right' agreed his cousin. 'It was because Zacchaeus was a tax collector, and worked for the Romans.'
'So he would be a very rich man. We know what they are like'. It was Mr. Cat who had joined in the conversation. 'Why did Jesus want to be friends with such a man?' he asked.
'Ah!' Sam smiled at them. 'The answer to that question we found out later.' His cousin now took up the story. 'When Zacchaeus scrambled hurriedly down the tree one of our Uncles said 'I know where he lives. Would you like to see the tea party?'
'Well, of course we would, we told him, so we scampered off as fast as we could, and do you know' he laughed. 'We arrived there before Jesus and Zacchaeus!'
The animals smiled at the Squirrels who were such pleasant fellows, and so obviously happy to be telling their story.
'Zacchaeus had a beautiful home' Sam said. 'With a lovely garden.'
'That's not surprising' broke in Crow. 'They are well known for stealing from people.'
'But wait' said Sam very quietly. 'Let me tell you the rest of the story. When we reached Zacchaeus' garden we quickly ran up the tree nearest to the house. Jesus and Zacchaeus arrived shortly afterwards, and it was then that we saw the most moving sight.'
Sam hesitated, and dabbed his eyes with his paws.
'Oh, dear fellow' said Donkey kindly. 'Take your time, we understand.'
Sam took a deep breath. 'Thank-you, I'm fine now' he said gratefully, and after a rather shaky sigh, continued. 'We saw Zacchaeus stand before Jesus and heard him promise to give half his wealth to the poor, and repay four times over anyone he had overcharged!'
'What did Jesus say then?' whispered a dove.
'Jesus told him that salvation had come to his house that day.'
Sam's cousin took over the story as he could see Sam taking deep breaths and still dabbing his eyes.
'We saw Jesus smiling at Zacchaeus in such a loving way, it was most moving to see. Then Jesus turned to the others who were there and said 'This is why I have come. To search for people such as Zacchaeus, and to change their lives by my love.'
Squirrel turned to Mr. Cat. 'This is the answer to your question, Mr. Cat' he said.
'Thank you Squirrels' Mr. Cat replied quietly. 'Isn't it wonderful to know that He loves us all?' and he began to purr with pleasure.
Sam gave a little smile and very gently added. 'Yes, He knows each one of us, and He cares.'
Elizabeth Aynsley ©

Luke CH.19 Vs.1 to 10