We were all smiling and laughing in celebration as we men gathered together in reunion. We were greeting each other and swapping stories. JC had prepared a nice meal and had a fire going as the sun was going down. All of us were to rendezvous at this time and place upon returning from our trips. It had been amazing to witness such awesome things on the road and to really feel like victors and conquerors that were making a difference in the world. Whitey was off to the side, nosing around some good looking grass, chatting it up with some other horses. JC was filled with joy at our stories. I heard His special laugh that seemed to come from deep within His belly. He tilted His head to the heavens and said something about His children seeing what men of old had longed to see, but didn't.
"So what have You been doing while we were gone?" I asked JC.
JC turned towards Whitey who was dramatically retelling a story to the new equine friends he'd just met. Our attention followed JC's eyes as we all listened in.
"E-e-e-e-asy," I neighed as JC led me down the steep, narrow path.
"'Don't worry, ol' nag," JC jabbed in jest as He slapped me on the neck. 'It'll be alright.' My head hung low in embarassment.
"You see, this man had challenged JC to somewhat of a duel....", Whitey recounted in a flashback.
"'How do I receive this eternal life?' the man began.
"'You're the expert,' JC calmly retorted, pretending to be a lesser student. 'What's the book say?'
"'Love God with all you got and love your neighbor,' the man countered.
"Suddenly, JC turned the tables on him and exclaimed, 'You have answered correctly'! as if JC was the greater! But the man wouldn't give up. He tested JC again by asking, 'Well, then, who really is my neighbor?'.
"'Watch this," JC steadied. Then He magically changed clothes and looked like a Samaritan man. He leaned over and whispered into my ear, 'Call me Sammy, Donkey'.
"Well, I was taken aback! 'Donkey'? He was smiling at me and looking me over. Sure enough, He had transformed me into a d-o-o-o-onkey! Suddenly my back was straining under the heavy load of a double pack that stuck out several feet on either side of me." The other horses gasped and blew out their nostrils at the thought, but were anxiously wanting Whitey to continue.
"So, like I said, 'E-e-e-e-easy', as He led me down that steep trail to the bottom of a dry canyon. We noticed two strangers ahead of us, one at a time, dart to the other side of the narrow canyon, as if they were dodging a snake. When we got down to that point, we realized their was a wounded man lying in the dust, almost dead!
"He-ah, hee-haw, he needs help!", I neighed.
"So JC..."
"Ah-hemm.."JC cleared His throat.
"Well, excu-u-u-u-use me! So, 'Sammy' tore off some of His own shirt and fixed him up. Then He put the guy on top of me! On top of all that weight! It was weird, I actually felt just as strong, even with the added weight. We climbed out of that canyon and found an old inn with a light still on, like a Motel Six, and paid a guy to watch our patient until we returned from our journey.
"It was so co-o-o-o-l! JC had answered the man's question by showing him a real-life story where the point was so obvious, even a child could understand who was the real, good neighbor!"
"Neeeiiiggghhhbo-o-o-o-or?"JC interrupted, mocking. Everyone burst into laughter. Whitey swished his tail indignantly, but then softened when JC gave him a reassuring hug.
"Come on, boys. Soup's on!" JC announced. "Let's eat!"
