I put this poem onto GW last year, but am posting it again because new members and guests might like to tell their children that it exists, and to let teachers know. It is one of the poems which I've written which can have several character parts: There's a narrator (but I think that 2 or 3 children could be narrators so that there is not too much to learn). Of course there is the little donkey and, of course, the angel. There's also Bess the milking cow - but Bess only looks on. If you want to hear it, I have posted it on my own website with illustrations and voice recording: http://www.whiteheadm.co.uk/html/the_best_donkey.html#bestdonkey2006
There are about 350 poems on this website, many for children.
I always tell the children: "But there again I'd like the job for I feel quite young inside. - Just like me."
There was a field in Nazareth, beside a joiner’s yard.
A little donkey stood and sighed for his life had been so hard.
“I’m getting old, and not much use, for carrying heavy loads;
For trudging around the town all day on hot and dusty roads."
His kindly master, Joseph, said: “You mustn’t worry now,
Just spend your old age quietly, with Bess, our milking cow.”
So Bess and he stayed in the field, and watched the world go by –
When suddenly from Heaven appeared an angel in the sky.
“There’s one last job on earth for you – a journey to be done.
A special donkey’s what we need for Mary and her son.
From Nazareth to Bethlehem – that is the road to take.
We’ve chosen you to do this task, especially for God’s sake.”
“But I am old and useless” the little donkey cried -
“But there again, I’d like the job for I feel quite young inside.”
The day arrived, and off they set in sunshine warm and bright,
They travelled over dusty roads, arriving before night.
There were such a lot of people – Bethlehem was really packed,
There were many other donkeys, with loads upon their backs.
The only place they all could rest was in a stable, warm.
The little donkey stood nearby when Jesus Christ was born.
He went to sleep so happy, “I’m not useless after all”
He dreamed about an angel who came to his stable stall.
“Your work on earth is finished, come to Heaven and take your rest –
God will love to have you with Him – of all donkeys you’re the best.”
Copyright 2007
www.whiteheadm.co.uk
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Written by Fledermaus (3207 comments posted) 25th November 2007 | Yes, read this before, and I think I even remember my review. The donkey represented the Jews and the ox the non-Jews. So they were both present when Jezus was born. Read that somewhere  | No, I wasn't talking in representations
Written by Josie (2632 comments posted) 25th November 2007 | | The donkey was the main means of travel then, and I am sure it is now. I never had what you said in mind at all Fledermaus. As for the ox, I believe that people then and perhaps now, live above their stables, so that their animals sleep downstairs, so when there was no room, it could well be that the family slept under the inn in the stable. He came into a world surrounded by animals, who never once thought of hurting him, and yet, from the time he was born, he was hunted down by humans (well, King Herod and his men). |
Written by Fledermaus (3207 comments posted) 25th November 2007 | Hi again Josie,
I know you did not have that in mind, but Christian theology may | josie
Written by punchy (446 comments posted) 25th November 2007 | I really love this poem but I have a quibble and it is purely that- 'of all the donkeys you're the best', I don't think any donkey, or any of Gods creatures are better than others and I do frown upon Angels having favourites  | Josie
Written by punchy (446 comments posted) 25th November 2007 | | I am only kidding , I do love your poem xxx | One of your best
Written by BedtimeStoryteller (99 comments posted) 25th November 2007 | I think that this is one of your best, Josie, though there were two lines/wordings I stumbled over: 'especially for God's sake' and 'stable stall'.
Ian
| The Best Donkey
Written by Josie (2632 comments posted) 25th November 2007 | | I wrote this poem at the insistence of a little boy who told me more than once that I hadn't written a poem about a donkey and "I love donkeys" he said. Every week he was there waiting, and one Wednesday afternoon, with the rain beating down on the window, I said a prayer that I could find the words of a poem about a donkey for this little boy." This poem came quickly to my mind. In my mind's eye I still see these little 6 yr old children sitting cross legged on the floor. You could have dropped a pin. When I got to the last but one line: " - - - - come to Heaven and take your rest" everyone looked horrified and were sad, but when I told them that God especially wanted the little donkey to be with him for he was the best" all the faces lit up. So I'm afraid Punchy that the little donkey will always have to be classed as "the best" for the sake of the children. A little girl (Sophie) and friends are doing this poem at our church at Christmas. Sophie loves this poem. Thanks for your reviews. |
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