August 1

Donkeys, Llamas, and Other Things

Words to Treasure

Everyone who saw Esther was pleased with her.

Esther 2:15

Hannah smelled breakfast cooking in her grandma’s kitchen. She jumped down the stairs in shorts and sandals. Grandma looked up from the paper. “No breakfast until you do your morning chores.” She frowned at Hannah’s sandals. “I’ll have to take you into town and get you some boots. Now, go outside. You’ll find a bucket of feed by the door. Pour some in a line on the ground in the donkey-llama field.”

Hannah found the bucket, found the field, and climbed over the fence. She called to the eight llamas and the two donkeys. Suddenly, they charged at her like some goofy stampede. Afraid, she dropped the bucket. The animals fought over the spilled food. The donkeys, being smart, kicked the bucket away from the others. Getting up her courage, Hannah tried to pet a llama. It lifted up its camel-like head and spit right in her face. Hannah was shocked! The spit stung because it was full of half-chewed food. Grandma Sadie whispered, “You’ll get the hang of it.”

Your first day doing anything is bound to be hard — you might say “spitting hard.” But don’t get discouraged. Just do your best. It will get easier.

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Donkeys were like little pickup trucks — small but tough. Donkeys were used for riding, carrying heavy things, and for milking. Nothing like a frosty glass of donkey milk! Rich people had huge herds of donkeys.