A long time ago, there were three camels named Erin, Nina and
Penda. They wanted to travel to distant lands and visit
wonderful places. The wise men that owned them rarely left
their palace. Instead, they spent their days studying
ancient writings, and their nights searching the stars.
The three camels prayed, "God, please send us on an
adventure." And God answered their prayer.
Several nights later, the wise men loaded their camels and
headed west, towards a bright star.
They traveled all through the night and into the next day
until they reached an oasis. There, they rested in the shade
of the big palm trees.
Erin said, "I think I know where we're going." "Where?"
asked the other two. "My master, Melchior, placed a jar
of myrrh on my back. This is a gift given to a great
general,
a man willing to serve his people and give his life for them if
necessary. His house will be large and he will have
hundreds of servants and soldiers attending his needs." The
other camels nodded, "You may be right."
At sunset, they approached a large house. "See, I told
you," bragged Erin. "This must be the general's house."
The three wise men spent the evening with the general who
provided them with delicious food and entertainment. The
camels were treated kindly as well and after dark,
they talked with the animals in the stable. "Who lives here?"
asked Erin. "He must be a very great man." "He is my master
General Kadar," said a donkey. "He is a great warrior and
faithful servant to his King."
The camels went to sleep, honored to visit such a great man's
home. The next morning the wise men continued on their
journey. After traveling all morning, they stopped at
another oasis to rest. "My master did not leave his gift
with General Kadar," said Nina." "Neither did mine," said
Erin. "I must have been wrong."
"I think I know where we are going," said Penda. "Where?"
asked the other two. "My master, Balthazar, loaded a chest
full of gold on my back. Gold is a gift given to a
king. This king must live in a fabulous palace somewhere
to the west. The other camels nodded, "You may be right."
After several more days, they arrived at King Herod's
palace. The wise men stayed in the palace as the King's
guests. In the stable, the camels were given water, food,
and a place to sleep. "See, I knew we were visiting a king,"
bragged Penda. The other camels said, "You were right." But
the next morning, the wise men continued on their journey
without leaving any of their gifts. "I don't understand,"
said Penda. "If not a king, then who?"
"I think I know where we are going," said Nina. "Where?" asked
the other two. "My master, Gaspar,
put a container filled with sweet-smelling frankincense on my
back. Frankincense is the gift given to God. I believe we are
going to a great temple. There will be many people offering
their gifts and prayers to God." "You must be right," said the
other two.
Later that day, they came to the great temple in
Jerusalem. "See, I knew we were visiting a temple," bragged
Nina. The other camels said, "You were right."
The wise men walked around the grounds and admired the beautiful
structure. But after a short time, they mounted their
camels and continued the journey. Nina asked, "If the
gifts are not for God, then who?"
They had visited a great general, a king, and God's holy temple,
and
none were worthy of their masters' gifts. "We must be
visiting someone really special," said Erin. The other
camels nodded, "You must be right."
It was night time as they approached a small town called
Bethlehem. The great star led them to a stable. "Why
did we stop?" asked Erin. "Who could possibly live here?"
The three wise men knocked on the door. A man named Joseph
greeted them, "May I help you?" "We have traveled many
miles to visit the new King," said Balthazar. "We followed His
star," added Gaspar. "We want to worship him," said
Melchior. "Is he here?"
Joseph called to his wife, "Mary, bring Jesus here.
He has some visitors." Mary appeared in the doorway, holding
a small child. "This is Jesus," said Mary.
The three wise men knelt down in front of Jesus and worshiped
him. "I have a jar of myrrh for Jesus, a gift to
honor a great warrior and the life he will give for everyone,"
said Melchior. "Thank you," said Joseph. "I have brought
a chest full of gold, a gift worthy of the new King of the world,"
said Balthazar as he handed the chest to Joseph. "Thank you,"
said Joseph. "Here is a container of frankincense, a gift
worthy of the Son of God," said Gaspar as he handed the container
to Joseph. "Thank you," said Joseph. "God has granted
great wisdom to you all." The three wise men bowed.
"Will you be returning to your country tonight?" asked
Joseph. Gaspar answered, "We will spend the night in
Bethlehem and leave in the morning." "God bless you and
protect you," said Mary as she and Joseph waved goodbye.
That night, the three found rooms in an inn. They praised
God for what they had seen. During the night, the camels
couldn't sleep, so they talked about all that had
happened.
Suddenly, an angel appeared before them. "Do
not be afraid," said the angel. "I bring you great
news." "What is it?" asked the camels.
"Each of you thought you knew who you were going to visit."
Erin said it would be a great warrior willing to give his life
to save his people. You were right. Jesus will give
His life for all people and He will return and conquer all evil."
"Penda said it would be a great king. You were right
too. Jesus is the eternal King. His kingdom will
never end."
"Nina said it would be God. And this was right as
well. Jesus is God's Son," explained the angel.
“Wow!” exclaimed the camels. There is nobody greater in
the world!" They thanked God for allowing them to see
Jesus and be part of such a great event. And then the
angel told them, "Tomorrow morning I will lead you home. Don't
turn to the right or left, but follow me wherever I lead
you." The three answered, "We will obey."
The next morning, the three wise men mounted their camels and
tried to turn the camels towards the north, but the camels
refused to turn. They then tried to pull them to the
south, but they still wouldn't budge.
And then Gaspar said,
"Last night I had a dream. I was warned not to go back and
tell King Herod where to find the Child. He wants to hurt
Jesus." "I had that same dream," said Melchior. "How
will we get home?" "We are to trust God," said
Balthazar. "He will show our camels the way."
And then the angel appeared in front of the camels, but the
wise men could not see or hear him. "Follow me," said the
angel. The camels followed him all the way to their own
country.
Back at their home, they told all the other animals about their
trip. For the rest of their lives, they praised God for
choosing them for such a great adventure.