Tuesday Treasure
In this version of the Nativity story a donkey hears that a baby has been born in Bethlehem - a King. The donkey believes the story and "longing filled his heart. He knew that he must leave his master and go to his King. So at nightfall he quietly left."
The journey is long and hazardous and it is made worse by the comments and scoffing of the other animals the donkey meets along the way - a camel, a lion, a hyena, a wolf, a fox and a ram. The words they use are so hurtful:
"You would not be allowed to visit a king. ... Because you are a donkey; and a donkey is a lowly, stupid beast."
"You silly donkey! Do you believe any king would even notice you? You were born to bear loads, not to stand in the presence of a king."
You will cheer as the little donkey keeps plodding on. He does not give up and eventually he sees a group of angels in golden robes. They guide him onto the road to Bethlehem. Then he sees a star - the star - shining over a stable.
"There in the hay, just as the story had said, lay the little child, and Mary and Joseph stood by him. The baby laughed merrily to see the donkey. He stretched out his hands and smiled. The little donkey bowed before his King. His journey had ended."
After reading The Little Donkey why not listen to the song which tells of the donkey that carried Mary to Bethlehem. I also recommend you listen to The Small One narrated by Bing Crosby.
The German title for The Little Donkey is Ein Esel geht nach Bethlehem. It was first published in 1988 and the paperback edition was issued in 1998. Sadly this book is now out of print - hence it is a Tuesday Treasure. Gerda Marie Scheidl was the author of nineteen books for children. She died in 2005.
I really adore the art of Bernadette Watts. It is easy to see the way one of her art school teachers - Brian Wildsmith, influenced her work. Here are some of her books which are still in print:
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