The Five Animals Jesus Met in the Wilderness

A story for children of any age…

This is a story about the five animals Jesus met while he traveled in the wilderness.  Now, no one knows much about what Jesus did while he was in the wilderness, and I don’t know whether everything in this story is literally true, but it is true this story came to me one morning as I awoke from a sound sleep.  It seems to me God was trying to teach me a few things and He might want me to teach them to others as well.

There is one other thing you need to know before I start my story.  That is the animals in this story seem to talk to Jesus.  I don’t know whether they really talked like you and I might talk, but I happen to think Jesus could understand them, because he cares for and understands everything God made. 

I think you know what I mean, because a lot of people – and maybe you’ve had this happen – have had times when they thought their pets were trying to tell them something.  Maybe if we could listen as closely as Jesus, we too could understand what our pets and other animals are trying to tell us.

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Jesus had been traveling in the wilderness for many days, when at sunset he met a cat.  The cat was sitting on a big rock and was washing her paws.  Usually, wild cats run away when a man gets too close, but this cat calmly washed her paws, then her neck, then her face, as Jesus slowly came near.  

Jesus said quietly, “Hello, my name is Jesus and I’m from a little town called Nazareth.” 

The cat replied, in her purring voice, “I am pleased to meet you.  My name is Sheba.”

“Where did you come from?  This wilderness is a strange place for a small cat.” 

“I used to be a temple cat in the land of Egypt where I was practically worshipped by everyone.  One night, I was stolen by some bandits who put me in a cage and took me far from home, hoping to sell me.  I don’t know how I managed it, but one day I escaped when they were not looking and ran away into this wilderness, where I have been living by my wits ever since.  To think that I was once pampered and spoiled and lived like a little goddess, but now I have to catch wild mice and lizards just to live!”

Jesus listened patiently to Sheba’s story and asked, “How do you feel about your life now?”  

Sheba thought for a moment.  “I miss the easy life of a goddess, but I have learned a lot.” 

“What have you learned?” Jesus asked.  

“Well, for example, I have learned when it is safe to be seen and heard and when it is not.  I have also learned to find shade by day, and warm rocks like these by night.  I have also become a very good catcher of mice.  Shall I catch one for you?  You look hungry.”

“I don’t think that will be necessary,” Jesus smiled, “but thank you for asking.”  For a moment, Jesus’ mind flashed to the thought that one day his followers would be called ‘fishers of men.’   “But, may I share your rock tonight, because I’ve walked a long way and still have far to go?”  

Sheba sighed contentedly, “I would be very happy if you would stay.  It is not often that I find a friend in this wilderness.”  

So, Jesus curled up on one side of the rock, and Sheba, the former temple cat, curled up on the other.

Jesus and Sheba both awoke with the sunrise.  

As they stretched and yawned, Jesus said, “I need to be on my way, fair Sheba.  But before I go, I want to ask a question.  If I could take you back to Egypt so you could live in your temple again, would you want to?”

Sheba purred loudly, “Oh, could you?”  Then she thought about it for a minute. “No, thank you, Jesus.  I have learned that none of us should be worshipped except God.  I believe it is better for me to be here, earning my living, so to speak, rather than just have everything handed to me.  And besides, I never would have met such a man as you if I had stayed at the temple.”

“Very well, wise cat,” Jesus answered, “But before I go, I’ll give you some useful information.  About a half-hour’s walk from here, to the west, you will find a lot of tasty mice.  Good hunting, Sheba!  Remember to catch only what you can eat.” 

“Thank you,” Sheba answered, “Remember to find shade by day and warm rocks by night and learn how and when to stay out of sight.  Farewell!”

So, Jesus moved on.  He walked for several more days, and upon reaching the top of a hill, came upon a Camel lying in the sand.  

“Hello, big fellow!” Jesus cried out, “What are you doing out here all by yourself?” 

The camel moaned in his gruff camel voice, “Woe is me, my leg is hurt, and I can’t walk!  The traders I was traveling with just left me by the road because I could no longer carry their heavy burden.  I’ve tried to find an oasis, but I can only limp so far in one day.  Even though I’m a camel, and God made me able to go five days without water, I’m afraid I’m going to die in this wilderness.” 

“What is your name?” Jesus asked, “I am called Jesus.”  

“My name is Cyrus,” the Camel replied. “Will you help me?  Somehow I sense that you can if you want to.”

“I don’t know if I’m ready to do that yet,” Jesus answered.

“Sometimes we need to help even if we don’t feel ready,” said Cyrus, “When I was a young camel, I couldn’t wait to carry big burdens like my older brothers and sisters, even though I knew I wasn’t ready.”

“Well said, Cyrus,” replied Jesus.  Jesus thought for a while about the miracles he would later be asked to do and decided that any day and every day is a good day to help others.  

After a long silence, Cyrus looked deep into Jesus’ eyes and said, “Jesus, I believe you can help me.  Will you do it?”

Jesus quietly said, “Stand up Cyrus.”  And Cyrus did.  

Cyrus exclaimed, “I can walk!  My leg doesn’t hurt anymore!  It’s a miracle!”

“It may be,” whispered Jesus, “but let’s keep it between us for now.”

“I understand,” said Cyrus, “I suppose it is difficult to know when to work miracles and when to let people learn to have faith without them.”

“You’re right, Cyrus.  You had faith in me even before you got up and walked.  I hope to find people with this kind of faith.”

“I’m sure you will,” said Cyrus, “but, I’m also sure you will find many more who will want to see miracles but still will not have faith in you.”

“That’s true, Cyrus.  Sometimes people want to see before they believe, but many need to learn to believe before they can see.”  

“Thank you for helping me, Jesus.  May God go with you!” 

“May God go with you too, Cyrus!  By the way, there is an oasis about an hour’s walk to the east.” 

“Another miracle!” cried Cyrus.

“No,” Jesus laughed, “I passed it on the way here…Farewell!” 

“Thank you again; God speed!”

Jesus walked a few more days and spotted a Raven sitting on a tree branch and quietly sobbing in throaty sobs.

“What’s the matter, Raven?” asked Jesus.

“I think I will soon die, because I can’t find anything to eat, and I’m getting so weak I can hardly fly.”

“What is your name?”

“A…Adina,” sobbed the Raven.

“Hello, Adina. My name is Jesus.”

“Why are you walking all alone out in this wilderness?  Aren’t you afraid you might die out here?” asked Adina.

“I’m here to learn whatever God wants me to learn.  I’m not afraid to die while doing what God wants me to do,” Jesus replied.

“I really don’t know what God wants me to do,” said Adina. “I’m afraid to die, and I’m also afraid that even if I live, I won’t know what to do with my life.”

“Your fears sound worse than death to me,” said Jesus. “Did you know one of your ancestors helped to feed the prophet, Elijah, when he was in the wilderness, not very far from here?”

“Really?” asked Adina, “I…I didn’t know.”  Even as she said this, a new sense of pride and purpose rose within her.

“It’s true,” said Jesus, “and because your family helped Elijah, I will help you.”  Jesus bent down and picked up five small stones.  As he held them in his hand, they became five tiny loaves of bread.  He gave them to a thankful Adina.

“You have saved my life!” Adina cried out, “Thank you!”

“Do you know what you will do next?” Jesus asked.

“I hope I can find an oasis nearby and before long finish exploring this wilderness.  Then, I can help travelers by bringing them food or going to get help for them.”

“That’s a wonderful plan,” said Jesus.  “There is an oasis just beyond that hill to the south.  Go with God’s blessing.”

“God has truly blessed me today.  You’ve given me more than food to eat.  You’ve also fed my soul.”  And with that Adina flew off to find the oasis.

Jesus went on his way, and after a few more days came to a steep cliff over a river gorge.  On the edge of the cliff there was a big red dog pacing back and forth.  The dog looked tired and thirsty, but very determined, as if on a mission.

As Jesus came near, he called out, “What are you looking for?”

“My master lost one of his lambs and I’ve traveled almost a half-day from home to find her.”

“What is your name, red dog?” asked Jesus.

“My name is Rufus, what’s your name?” answered the dog.

“I’m Jesus, from the town of Nazareth.” 

“You too are far from home,” said Rufus.

“Have you found the lamb?” Jesus asked.

“Yes, sir, and that is my problem.  The lamb is on a narrow ledge below this cliff.  But, because I’m a dog, I can’t climb down to get her.  She’ll die if I don’t get help soon.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll climb down and get her for you.”

With that said, Jesus climbed down over the edge of the cliff towards a ledge about 20 feet below.  The cliff was rocky, and Jesus hurt his hands in the climb.  He also tore his forehead on a thorn bush about half way down.  He reached the lamb, tied her to his shoulders, and began the climb back up.  As he did all this, Rufus kept watch from the top of the cliff.  Just as Jesus was about to reach the top, he slipped a little, but Rufus was alert and caught Jesus’ robe in his teeth and pulled him to the top of the cliff.

“Thanks for the help,” Jesus panted.

“Don’t mention it,” Rufus panted too. “Thank you for saving the lamb. You are a brave man and I will not forget that you went out of your way to help a stranger.”

“There are no strangers in the kingdom of God,” said Jesus.  “We need to look out for one another, like you and I did today.  Do you know the way home?”

“Yes,” replied Rufus.

“Then go slowly.  This poor little lamb has had a hard day.”

“Thank you again, Master.”

Jesus left Rufus and turned towards home.  After a few more days he came upon a snake lying in the shade of a small tree.

“What do you call yourself, snake?” Jesus asked.

“I am called Sharar,” replied the snake in a hissing tone.  “What brings you to this part of the world?”

“I seek to learn what God wants me to learn,” Jesus answered.

“Then you have come to the right snake,” hissed Sharar.  “I know all about this wilderness and would be pleased to tell you whatever you want to know.  Follow me.”

After he had said this, Sharar led Jesus to the top of a small mountain.  There his voice started to sound more like a man’s voice than a snake’s.  

Sharar said to Jesus, “I have heard you are the son of God.  If that is true, then turn these stones into bread.”

Jesus remembered what he had learned from Adina and said, “People cannot live on bread alone, because they need the spiritual food that only God can give them.”

But Sharar would not give up.  He began to look more like a man, and the mountain began to look more like the temple in Jerusalem.  He said, “If you really are the Son of God, then throw yourself off the top of the temple, because it has been written that God will send his angels to save you.  They will not even let you hurt your foot on a stone.”

Jesus remembered what he had learned from Cyrus about the importance of helping others and the need to have faith.  “It would not be right to test God’s love that way.”  

As Sharar grew more impatient with Jesus, the mountain seemed to grow in height until it overlooked the whole world.  “All this is mine,” said Sharar. “And all this could be yours – if you would only worship me.”

Then Jesus remembered what he had learned from Sheba about how only God should be worshipped, and what he had learned from Rufus about the meaning of sacrifice and love. “You are not Sharar, you are Satan!  Go away!  We are to love God more than any created thing, and to serve him by helping others, not by seeking personal gain.”

Sharar, or Satan, as he is really called, suddenly disappeared, and God sent angels to feed Jesus and help him on his way home.  I believe Jesus was able to use what he had learned from the animals when he returned to the world of humans.  It seems to me we all need to learn what God wants us to learn, from the people, and the animals, he sends to teach us.