Colonel Beckwith was a retired army officer who had made his home among the people of the Vaudois Valleys in France. His purpose in being there was to serve the Lord by helping the believers there who were poor and by preaching the gospel of Christ.
One day he met a poor man named Botalon who was well known in the area. Botalon made his living by delivering coal and wood on the back of his donkey, which was also well known as “Botalon’s donkey.” This day Botalon was without his donkey and was weeping.
“What is the matter, Botalon?” asked Beckwith.
“Sir,” replied the poor man, “they are going to take away my donkey, and without it my family and I will die of hunger.” Then he told how a man he owed money to had taken his donkey, intending to put it in his own stable and keep it.
Beckwith felt sorry for Botalon and asked him how much he owed. When told the amount he said, “Well, my friend, would you mind selling me your donkey and then you can pay your debt with the money I give you for it?”
Botalon was willing and bought back the donkey. After giving the donkey to Beckwith, he turned away still sad. But then the Colonel said, “Oh, you may take the donkey with you for now and make use of it until I claim it. However, you must understand that the donkey is mine, and that I can allow no one to take it for any reason whatsoever.”
The surprise and joy of the poor man when he heard this can be better imagined than described.
ML-12/01/1985