by Mark Littleton based on Matthew 21:1-9

“I never get to do anything,” Elias whined as his father Abram walked to the door.

“Feed Brownie and Trotter,” Abram said gently. “Then brush them down. We’ll be back in a few hours.”

“But I want to see Jesus, too!”

“If you finish your work, you can,” Elias’ mother said, giving him a kiss. “When your brother gets back, he’ll bring you.”

Elias’ parents turned to go. The boy sighed. “It’s not fair.” The two donkeys stamped their feet impatiently as Elias entered their pen. Elias turned to get some hay and noticed three men walking up the street. He ambled to the shed and picked up an armload of hay.

Suddenly two hands covered Elias’ eyes.

“Guess who?”

“Jerusha, I’m busy,” Elias snapped at his friend.

“I can help,” the girl said, letting Elias go and grabbing some hay. Elias nodded.

“What’s the matter?” Jerusha asked.

“I wanted to see Jesus come into the city,” he complained.

“Jesus is coming?” Jerusha asked excitedly.

“Yes, didn’t you hear?”

As they walked out of the shed, Elias stopped and stared, fear gripping his throat. “Brownie? Trotter?”

The donkeys were gone.

Elias dropped the hay and ran to the gate. It was latched. Jerusha hurried after him.

“Someone took the donkeys?” she asked. “I saw some men talking to your parents, but . . .”

“Come on,” Elias yelled. “I think I see them.”

Elias and Jerusha scurried into the street. Elias saw Trotter’s bushy-tipped tail swish around a corner.

“There they are!” Elias said.

Elias surged ahead, leaping over rocks and dodging carts. Jerusha kept up with him. They passed their friend Thomas.

“Where are you going?” Thomas shouted.

“Someone stole our donkeys,” Elias called, without slowing. “Come on!”

As the children ran, other boys spotted them and joined the chase.

Elias thanked God for his friends. They’ll help me get Trotter back! he thought.

They rounded a corner and skidded to a stop in front of a noisy crowd. People lined the road, their voices filling the air.

“Hosanna!” they cried. “Hosanna in the highest.”

“There!” Thomas pointed. “I see them.”

The children hurtled forward, ducking through the crowd. As they neared the main road, Elias saw a group of men—and a familiar tail! They disappeared as the multitude closed in.

“Climb this tree,” Jerusha said. “We’ll help you up.”

Using his friends for balance, Elias hoisted himself onto a low branch.

The men had spread their coats on Trotter. The poor colt looked scared to death. They’re planning to ride him! Elias thought. Trotter isn’t even broken.

Elias’s friends clambered up the tree to join him.

“What will you do?” Thomas asked.

Elias squinted. “I hope Trotter bucks him off.”

Suddenly, Elias saw the man climbing on Trotter’s back. Jesus. Elias knew those dark eyes and kind face. Elias had seen Jesus heal a lame man. And Jerusha’s blind aunt had regained her sight when Jesus touched her.

“What do I do now?” Elias whispered, glancing at Thomas.

Thomas’ eyes bulged.

“Look!” Jerusha said. “Trotter doesn’t know what to do. Help them!” The colt backed this way and that. Jesus soothed the animal, but the men kept jostling the little colt, crowding around and shouting.

The children jumped down from the tree. “Whoa, Trotter,” Elias called, running to the colt. “It’s all right. It’s Jesus.”

Trotter only jostled more.

At that moment, Jesus turned and looked at Elias. Time seemed to stop.

“I can help you, Jesus!” Elias said.

Jesus smiled.

The other children crowded around.

“Let Elias talk to his colt,” Jesus said.

Elias looked at Jesus in amazement. “You remember my name?”

“Of course,” Jesus said. “That’s Thomas there behind you. And Jerusha . . .”

Elias and the others laughed as Jesus called them each by name.

“Trotter’s not used to being ridden, Jesus,” Elias said. “He isn’t broken yet.”

“I know,” Jesus said. “I chose him for that reason.”

“You chose Trotter?”

“The prophet Zechariah spoke of it. But now, Trotter,” Jesus said, leaning in toward the colt, “be still.”

The colt’s ears perked up, and he relaxed.

“I think it’s all right now,” Elias said.

“Steady, Trotter,” Jesus said.

Elias looked up into Jesus’ eyes. I was mad, he thought. I wanted Trotter to buck you off.

Jesus gently touched Elias’ shoulder.

He knows.

Elias smiled and watched as Trotter obediently carried Jesus through the crowd.

“Hosanna!” the people shouted, laying down their palm branches.

Elias and his friends walked behind Jesus. The palm leaves rustled under his feet. He saw his parents and waved.

“Your donkey has become a King’s donkey today,” his father called, pointing to Trotter.

“Yes, my King’s donkey,” Elias said, picking up a palm branch.

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