Story 26 of 100 · Based on Numbers 22:21-35
Balaam's Donkey
Balaam was a man who listened to God. One morning he got up, saddled his donkey and set out with two of his servants.
But on the road stood an angel of the Lord, with a sword in his hand. Balaam did not see him. The donkey did.
When the donkey saw the angel, she turned off the road and went into a field. Balaam hit her to bring her back to the road.
Then the angel stood in a narrow path between two vineyards. The donkey saw the angel and pressed against the wall, crushing Balaam's foot. Balaam hit her again.
The angel moved ahead once more, to a place so narrow that there was no way to pass. The donkey saw the angel and lay down on the ground. Balaam lost his temper and hit her with his staff.
Then God made the donkey speak.
—What have I done to you, that you have hit me three times? —she asked Balaam.
—You are making a fool of me! —Balaam answered.
—Am I not your donkey, which you have ridden all your life until today? Have I ever done this to you before?
—No —Balaam admitted.
Then God opened his eyes, and Balaam saw the angel. He bowed down to the ground.
—Why have you hit your donkey three times? —the angel asked him—. She saw me and turned away three times.
Balaam understood that he had done wrong. Animals should be treated with kindness.
Let's talk: How can you take care of an animal, or a pet, with kindness?
God cares about everything he made, including animals. Goodnight.