The Talking Donkey

    By hellen Kabuwo

    The Talking Donkey cover image

    09 Apr, 2024

    a horse in a classroom with children sitting at desks and a teacher standing in front of the desk, a storybook illustration, storybook illustration, samikshavad, Ella Guru

    Ms. Allen, the beloved school teacher, stood in front of her curious students. She had a special story from the Bible to share - the tale of Balaam's talking donkey.

    a group of children sitting at desks in a classroom with a horse on the wall behind them and a teacher, a storybook illustration, official art, academic art, Ella Guru

    The children, always eager for a story, looked at her with wide eyes. They found the idea of a talking donkey amusing and couldn't wait to hear more.

    a woman walking down a dirt road in a field with a sky background and clouds above her, with a path leading to a valley, a comic book panel, comic cover art, process art, Asaf Hanuka

    Ms. Allen began, 'Once upon a time, Balaam, a man known for his wisdom, was traveling on a path set by God.' The children listened intently.

    a man riding a donkey down a dirt road in the mountains with a pack on his back and a dog on the other side, a character portrait, western comic book art, les automatistes, Diego Gisbert Llorens

    'Balaam had a faithful donkey. They had been on many journeys together,' continued Ms. Allen, introducing the other protagonist.

    a man with a goat and a backpack walking down a path with a goat on the side of it, a storybook illustration, yusuke murata, fantasy art, Asaf Hanuka

    'During their journey, the donkey saw an angel blocking their path, but Balaam could not see it,' Ms. Allen explained.

    a man walking a donkey down a dirt road with a mountain in the background at sunset or dawn with a sky full of clouds, a comic book panel, western comic book art, private press, Asaf Hanuka

    She continued, 'Frightened, the donkey refused to move, which angered Balaam, who could not see the angel. He scolded the donkey harshly.'

    a cartoon of two men walking down a street with donkeys and donkeys nearby on a sunny day, a storybook illustration, detailed illustration, les nabis, Brothers Hildebrandt

    'Suddenly, the donkey spoke in human language, questioning Balaam why he was being so harsh.' The children gasped in surprise.

    a man walking down a street next to a horse and a donkey on a street with stone buildings in the background, a character portrait, western comic book art, harlem renaissance, Asaf Hanuka

    'The talking donkey explained the danger ahead, and only then did Balaam see the angel,' Ms. Allen narrated, her eyes sparkling with the marvel of the story.

    a cartoon of a teacher in front of a class of students in a classroom with a chalkboard and a chalkboard, a comic book panel, comic cover art, bengal school of art, Artgerm

    The room was filled with awe as Ms. Allen finished the story. She could see the wonderment in their eyes, and some even seemed to be deep in thought.

    a cartoon of a girl sitting at a desk in a classroom with other children in the background and a teacher in the foreground, a comic book panel, comic cover art, academic art, Ella Guru

    'So children, what do we learn from this?' she asked, eager to hear their interpretations.

    a group of children standing together in front of a blue background with a cartoon of them smiling and waving, a storybook illustration, detailed illustration, lyco art, Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy

    Hands shot up as the children shared their thoughts. 'We should not be mean to animals', 'We must listen and observe carefully', 'God can work through anyone or anything.'

    a cartoon of a teacher in a classroom with her students in the background and a cartoon of a woman teacher, a comic book panel, official art, paris school, disney

    Satisfied with their responses, Ms. Allen smiled warmly. 'Exactly, my dear students. Remember, everything in this world has a purpose and a voice. We just need to be willing to listen.'

    The Talking Donkey

    AI Children’s Stories