In a barn in Jerusalem, some animals lived peacefully together: a mother hen, the rooster, a horse, the dog, a cat, the sheep and a donkey. They were all good friends and used to bragging about who among them had the greatest adventures in life.

The rooster boasted about his cockfights and how he became the pound for pound cock-fighter in cock-pit arenas. The elegant horse recounted how he would carry valiant Roman soldiers, even governors, tribunes and centurions into battles he fought in Rome, Africa and Arabia, and even in far away India. The mother hen, dog, sheep and cat listened to him with much amazement. The dog, thinking of what to boast about, recalled an incident when he scared off some wolves who wanted to attack the sheep. The sheep nodded in agreement, grateful to their dog friend for having saved them. “And you mother hen, what can you tell us”, asked the horse. “Oh, oh, oh…cluck, cluck, cluck!” She exclaimed, “I have laid many eggs for people to eat…” The rooster laughed “Ha, ha, ha! Only that… eggs!” The others too laughed together with the rooster, enjoying the moment together.

Mother hen became offended and so she rebuked the rooster, “If not for my eggs which I laid and protected, you would not have come to exist in this world…You…all of you…your master, and his children, even the soldiers would not have any strength to go to school nor fight their battles, if they didn’t get strength from the eggs which I laid for them.” And so she silenced all the other animals.

The horse immediately changed the topic as Mother hen was already fuming with anger, “And you cat, what can you boast about?” The horse queried. The cat said, “Ah, I drive mice and rats away…but sometimes some rats grow to be too big…” The horse replied, “that’s a big contribution, as in some places many people die because of a disease which the rats carry.”

Mother hen wittily commented, “But you only scare off the small mice in the house,” to the laughter of the group…That made Mother hen forgot her anger.

“I guess our sheep can boast of the wool which he provides to keep us warm during cold winter nights,” the horse praised the sheep.

Now left with nothing to brag about was the donkey. The donkey was a jolly fellow, and at times he could not reason things out fast enough. He had difficulty expressing himself. Yet he believed that he was also destined for something greater. So he was asked by his friends, “So what are your assets, dear donkey friend?” To which he immediately replied: “My four short legs”…Everyone laughed. “And my pony tail”, he added…to their renewed glee.

The donkey was a real laughing stock  at their gatherings. But he did not take offense at their laughter and joy. Deep within, he was happy to be able to make others happy. Never did he realize that his desire to make others happy would bring him glory, as the father Creator in heaven saw his good intentions.

Their master was a good friend of Jesus, whom many were now acclaiming as the next king of Israel, and others even considered him as their Messiah. They too had seen Jesus every time he passed by Jerusalem, as he would stay at their master’s house. They loved their master and they loved Jesus too as he was so friendly and loving to them. They were all important to him, and they were sure that he was truly the promised Messiah, the liberator of all those under slavery and heavy burdens.

One sunny day, two disciples of Jesus came looking for their master. They overheard these two men talking with their master, that Jesus needed some kind of transport to enter the Holy City of Jerusalem during the Passover feast. The elegant horse thought that he would be chosen, but instead the men settled on the donkey. All of them were surprised that the donkey was chosen, but they were all happy for the donkey. The donkey himself felt so honored and privileged!

The Passover feast came. Our donkey found himself carrying the Messiah and the people were greeting Jesus with their palms shouting their hosannas! The donkey became so proud about all the attention showered on them. He reflected, “Wow, this is an once-in-a- lifetime experience – to carry the future king of Israel, the Savior of the world.

Now I can boast that I have carried the greatest fighter and liberator of all times, the person who will save us from all slavery and injustice. Oh maybe, he will also turn me into a great warrior like the rooster and the horse, and we will conquer many places and go on far-flung adventures. Perhaps I will acquire wings to fly. I’ll be the mighty warrior donkey. Now they will no longer just laugh at me as the funny and stupid donkey!”

Jesus could read his thoughts, and while they were entering Jerusalem, Jesus told him, “Oh dear donkey, I cannot promise you earthly glory, but only peace and true happiness. But you must pass a test beforehand. I will be brought to trial in these days and be found guilty. It will happen very quickly. I will be asked to carry the cross, and they will crucify me and put me to death. Some of my friends will also betray me. I will be humiliated. This is my way to save everyone and everything in this world. But after three days, I will rise up again. You will have to believe in my words and to be faithful up to the end. You should continue loving to the end, and then, you will be so happy to see me rise up again from the dead.”

The donkey did not fully understand what Jesus was telling him, as all the people were shouting and celebrating their arrival in the city. Feeling quite excited, he just muttered, “But master, with all these accolades given to you that will never happen.”

Everything turned out contrary to what the donkey had expected. For after the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, several days later the Messiah was brought to trial, and sentenced to death by crucifixion. The crowd shouting “Hosanna!” before was now eager to have him crucified. All the barn animals followed the events of that week. All the while the donkey thought he had something to boast about but things didn’t turn out the way he anticipated. There was dead silence in the city. They were all affected for they loved Jesus so much. The horse witnessed how Jesus was dragged to his death as he had to carry a Roman soldier to the hilltop where Jesus was crucified. The rooster, seeing one disciple betray Jesus three times, crowed three times in disappointment. The donkey was so downcast that he never wanted to raise his head again.

In his loneliness, the donkey suddenly remembered what Jesus had foretold as they were entering Jerusalem. He shouted in excitement, “Friends, he told me that he will rise up again after three days. Let’s go and check the tomb where he was buried.” So early dawn of the third day, they went to visit Jesus’ tomb. And lo and behold, they heard an explosion, and the big boulder covering the entrance just rolled away. Brilliant and beautiful colors of light they could see, dazzling them… And before their eyes, Jesus risen from the dead appeared!

The animals were so amazed and happy for they had kept their faith in Christ. Jesus encouraged them…”Dear friends, you have passed the test… You believed in my words…Now go and tell every creature what you’ve seen…I have conquered the world… Now you are no longer slaves, for love has conquered and will conquer all oppressions…I am the way, the truth and the life….I have come to bring peace… real peace and happiness…” And he hugged and patted each animal on the head.

This was the most beautiful story that all these animals would recount and repeat to their children, grandchildren and all generations to come!

Jesus really cared for them, and thus human beings are also called to love every creature…every animal just as Jesus loves them!