There are many versions of this story but we love this one......

Long ago, near Jerusalem, there was a poor farmer who had a small donkey. The donkey was so small it could barely do any work. The farmer could not use the donkey for labor, because the little thing couldn't carry much on its back. The farmer was poor and could not afford to feed an animal which could not help with his labors. The farmer thought it over and decided that he had best get rid of the donkey, as it was useless to him and he could no longer afford to feed it. Since it was so small and useless, the farmer figured that no-one would want the donkey, and he decided to kill it.

The farmer told his family of his plans to kill the donkey, and his children, who were very fond of the little guy begged him to sell it instead. The farmer said, "I would sell it, but no-one will buy a donkey that can't do any work."

The farmers children suggested that their father tie the poor little donkey to a tree beside the road that headed toward town. They suggested that the donkey be offered to anyone who might want it free of charge, and in this way, the donkey's life would be spared. The farmer agreed with his tenderhearted children that to kill the donkey would be a shame, and that since he was sure no-one would buy it, he would indeed attempt to give it away. The next morning, the farmer tied the donkey to a tree beside the road leading to town and let it be known that the donkey was free for the taking.

Not long after the poor farmer had done this, a couple of men approached him and showed an interest in taking the little donkey. The farmer warned them the poor little donkey was just about worthless and could carry nothing on its back or do hardly any work at all.

Still the men were interested in the donkey, and they told the farmer, "The Lord has need of it." The farmer could not imagine what the Lord would want with such a useless donkey, but since the men seemed sincere, and sure they could use it, the farmer handed it over. The men were happy to have found a donkey for Jesus, and quickly took the animal to Him.

Jesus stroked the sweet animal's face, and then mounted and rode it with no trouble.

Today, we call this day Palm Sunday, when Jesus, the Son of God rode the little donkey and led his followers into the city of Jerusalem.

On the back of each donkey, there is a dark patch of hair that goes the length of its back, and another that crosses its shoulders. Some believe that the donkey has worn this cross on its back since the day it carried Jesus.