The Wisdom Of Donkeys

'An amazing book... Erudite, acutely observed and spontaneous.' - John Berger 'This is Zen and the Art of Donkey Walking. I cannot imagine a more charming, informative or restful book.' - Jim Crace 'Pleasantly eccentric and elegantly written, suffused with the patient calm of the admired beast.' - New York Observer 'A fond meditation on the calming virtues of donkeyhood and daydreaming... a wistful travelogue.' - The Sunday Times When Andy Merrifield made his first trip to America aged ten, he vowed that one day he would leave his native Liverpool and live in New York. He eventually got there, but his dream quickly turned sour. In 2003, weary of city life, he moved to central France and embarked upon a journey of the soul, walking amid the ruins and spectacular vistas of the Auvergne. This book is the story of that slow pilgrimage, on which his only companion is Gribouille, a tender and intelligent donkey with soft, thick fur on his brow and calm, dark eyes. The purposeful pace of his journey allows Merrifield gradually to confront himself, as well as the larger mysteries of existence - while marvelling at his tranquil surroundings and revelling in the oddities of French rural life. The Wisdom of Donkeys reminds us that observing, being mindful, and being present in the moment are essential to a fulfilled life. It teaches us that enlightenment is all around us if we only take the time to seek it.

A Rumi story turned into a fun, illustrated allegory for kids. The 13th century Sufi mystic, Islamic scholar, Persian poet and storyteller Rumi remains a towering cultural force, and possibly the most widely read poet in the world--especially on the subject of love. Here a simple tale about a donkey keeper staying at an inn becomes a parable for life lessons of joy and sorrow that will be universally understood by children in this adaptation by the Rumi scholar Omid Arabian, illustrated with great humor and authenticity by the Iranian-born artist Shilla Shakoori. The Donkey's Gone is based on a story from The Masnavi, which is an epic compilation of Rumi's wisdom in the form of poems and short stories. Adapted for children, it retains Rumi's wit and insight while also relating a cautionary tale about what we stand to lose when we imitate others and conform.

The Hebrew Bible is filled with animals. Snakes and ravens share meals with people; donkeys and sheep work alongside us; eagles and lions inspire us; locusts warn us. How should we read their stories? What can they teach us about ecology, spirituality, and ethics? Author Laura Duhan-Kaplan explores these questions, weaving together biology, Kabbalah, rabbinic midrash, Indigenous wisdom, modern literary methods, and personal experiences. She re-imagines Jacob's sheep as family, Balaam's donkey as a spiritual director, Eve's snake as a misguided helper. Finally, Rabbi Laura invites metaphorical eagles, locusts, and mother bears to help us see anew, confront human violence, and raise children who live peacefully on the land.

The heartwarming tale of an irrepressible donkey who needed a home—and forever changed a family. Rachel Anne Ridge was at the end of her rope. The economy had crashed, taking her formerly thriving business along with it. She had been a successful artist, doing work she loved, but now she felt like a failure. How would her family pay their bills? What would the future hold? If only God would somehow let them know that everything was going to be all right . . . and then Flash the donkey showed up. If there is ever a good time to discover a wounded, frightened, bedraggled donkey standing in your driveway, this wasn’t it. The local sheriff dismissed Flash as “worthless.” But Rachel didn’t believe that, and she couldn’t turn him away. She brought Flash into her struggling family during their darkest hour—and he turned out to be the very thing they needed most. Flash is the true story of their adventures together in learning to love and trust; breaking down whatever fences stood in their way; and finding the strength, confidence, and faith to carry on. Prepare to fall in love with Flash: a quirky, unlikely hero with gigantic ears, a deafening bray, a personality as big as Texas, and a story you’ll never forget.

In this enchanting book, Andrew Merrifield sets out on a journey of the soul with a friend’s donkey, through the crumbling ruins and spectacular vistas of southern France’s Haute-Auvergne. Along the way the understated nobility of Gribouille, his humble donkey companion, allows him to confront himself as well as to consider the larger mysteries of life. As Merrifield contemplates literature, science, truth, beauty, and the universality of nature amid the French countryside, Gribouille surprises him with his subtle wisdom, reminding him time and again that enlightenment is all around us if we but seek it. Traveling with Merrifield and Gribouille, we’re reminded of the exquisite benefits of nature, passive adventuring, and wild spaces.

The Complete Book of the Donkey contains invaluable advice on all aspects of the care and welfare of donkeys. Sections include advice on buying and caring for donkeys, their diet, pasture management, breeding and showing.

From the bestselling author of Born to Run, a heartwarming story about training a rescue donkey to run one of the most challenging races in America, and, in the process, discovering the life-changing power of the human-animal connection. "A delight, full of heart and hijinks and humor." —John Grogan, author of Marley & Me: Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog When Christopher McDougall decided to adopt a donkey in dire straits, he had no idea what he was getting himself into. But with the help of his neighbors, Chris came up with a crazy idea. Burro racing, a unique type of competition in which humans and donkeys run side by side over mountains and through streams, would be exactly the challenge Sherman and Chris needed. In the course of Sherman’s training, Chris would enlist Amish running clubs, high-spirited goats, the service animal community, and two Sarah Palin–loving long-distance female truckers. Sherman’s heartwarming story of overcoming all odds to run one of the most unbelievable races in America shows the healing power of movement and the strength of the human-animal connection. Look for Christopher McDougall's new book, Born to Run 2, coming in December!

"For decades, his family rescued lost and forgotten donkeys in the Irish countryside. He had no idea that one day, the donkeys would rescue him. Patrick Barrett grew up on the back of a donkey. In the small village of Liscarroll, he befriended the abandoned and abused donkeys his family cared for in their animal sanctuary. He became a true donkey whisperer -- communicating with them in ways they could understand and teaching himself how to speak in their distinctive calls. But Patrick's life took an unexpected turn. He shipped out with the Irish Army and encountered unimaginable wartime horrors in Lebanon and Kosovo. In the aftermath, he returned home a broken man, sinking into the depths of PTSD and addictions. He believed nothing could save him -- but he hadn't counted on God or the donkeys. Sanctuary is the remarkable true story of how faith turned one lost man's life around with the help of the rescue animals who love him"--Back cover.