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Show Friday, December 18, 1992 Joseph turned to The Christmas Donkey by T. William Taylor full. The next morning, Many yean ago, there was a Hebrew farmer who Rorim's servants piled heavy lived in Egypt Thick green gnu grew over the hills on his farm, down the valleys and all around his house and bam. The farmer raised donkeys and camels, who ate the grass and grew big and strong. He sold these fine animals to caravan owners, who loaded goods on their backs to be carried to far away cities. At sundown each day, when the camels and donkeys came to the watering trough for their evening drink, one little donkey always came by himself. He took a path between two hills, separate from all the other animals. The farmer loved all his animals, but he loved this small, shaggy donkey best One evening he said, "Little one, you should have a special name. Since you always take your own path home, 1 will call you Madrikh. In the language of my people, Madrikh means 'pathfinder."1 One day, a big gruff man named Rorka came to the farm. He bought two camels and two donkeys for his caravan. As he was paying the farmer, he noticed Madrikh. "That little donkey looks perky, he said. "How much do you want for him?" The farmer did not want to sell Madrikh, so he set a very high price. "Eighteen pieces of silver," he said. To his dismay, Rorka paid in loads on all the animals ex- cept Madrikh. He was so young and small that they did not want to hurt him. But Rorka shouted, "I paid good money for that one. Load him up like all the others." Madrikh struggled with his burden, but he was determined to please his new owner. me, said Rorka, "Til do what I want with him." "Then let me buy him from you," said the carpenter. "All right" said Rorka. "He is not good to me anyway. You can have him for twenty-fiv- e pieces of silver." The carpenter counted his coins. "Would you sell him for twenty-fourhe asked. Thats all I have." ?" , Rorka grabbed the imes Celebrate with us the joy of giving and the warmth of sharing. We specialize in silk and fresh flowers. See us for a lovely holiday gift Christmas - Planter Centerpieces Gifts "Ahh" Flowers & Gifts 1 12 So. Main Street ICamas. UT (801) 783-433- 0 84036 17B Madrikh. "You will have to help us tomorrow," he said. Madrikh rubbed his head against Joseph's arm. He was happy to be able to do something for his new owners. Their journey was long. By the time they reached Bethlehem, all the inns were full. There was no place to stay. One innkeeper took pity on them. "There is some room in my stable," he said. "You may stay there if you wish." Late that night, Madrikh woke up. He thought he heard singing, and the light from a very bright star was shining through a tiny window. Then he heard the soft They traveled all day, money. "Madrikh is yours," around a marshy sea and he snarled. into the land of Palestine. The carpenter gave the Madrikh was tired, but he donkey cool water to drink walked on and on. and gently washed the dust When the caravan came from his face. to a place where five roads He led Madrikh to a cry of a baby. He looked met, Rorka stopped at last small house on the edge of into the next stall and saw a to eat and sleep. The anitown. At the gate, he called, was mals lay down too, but no "Mary. Come see what I've glorious sight: Mary a new holding baby boy. one took the heavy packs brought you." Madrikh was so proud. from their backs. A beautiful young He knew the was a Hie next day, the caravan woman came to the door.. member of hisbaby and family went m, through Bethlehem "A donkey!" she exclaimed. so belonged to him too. and Jerusalem. Madrikh's "Oh, Joseph, what a wonSoon people began comlegs and back hurt, and he derful gift" to see the baby. Some ing felt tired. Yet he staggered How Mary and Joseph on. loved Madrikh. They fed Continued on Page 18B On the third day, in the him well and tended his town of Nazareth, the wounds. In a few weeks, he aching and weary Madrikh was fat and happy and fell down. Rorka whipped healthy again. him, yelling, "I paid 18 One day a man came to pieces of silver for you. Get to Joseph. Madrikh speak up and work." The donkey heard him say, "You must trembled and tried to stand, go to Bethlehem, where you but he could not were born, to pay your Rorka picked up a stick taxes." to beat Madrikh. But a car"But my wife is about to penter who had been watchhave a b3by," said Joseph. "Dc arm. his ing, grabbed not hit the donkey again," "I must stay with her." "The law says you must he pleaded. "Cant you see said the man and he hurt? go," he is tired and "The animal belongs to left Jolly The Summit County Bee Happy Holidays Greetings of the season to our many good We hope your Christmas is bright with love and joy. friends! IMoore Co. Motor - Buick CIievroIet Coalville, Utah 336-594- 1 |