The Legend of the Donkey's Cross
By Barbara
Nefer
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No
matter what their color, almost all Miniature Donkeys share
the distinctive mark of a cross that extends down their back
and across their shoulders. While genetics accounts for this
coloration, poet Mary Singer has a more touching explanation.
According to a poem she wrote that is often shared among Miniature
Donkey enthusiasts, the cross is actually a tribute to the love
and loyalty of a humble creature.
The Bible says that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the back of
a small donkey. The little animal loved him so much that when
he was sentenced to be crucified, it wanted to help him bear
the burden of the cross.
The donkey was driven away but returned to pay its respects
when everyone else had gone. As it turned away sadly, the shadow
of the cross fell over its shoulders. The mark has remained
there ever since as a permanent tribute to the donkey's love
and loyalty.
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Barb
Nefer is a freelance writer in Celebration, Florida.
In her spare time, she enjoys riding her Appaloosa,
Figment, and racking up hours in the ApHC Saddle Log
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