The Three Camels

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 en who owned them rarely left their palace. Instead, they spent their days studying ancient writings, and their nights searching he stars.

The three cames 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 tot 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. After dark, they talked with the animals in the stable.

"Who lives here?" asked Erin. "He must be a very great man."

"He is y master General Kadar", said a donkey. "He is a great warrior and faithful servant to his King."

The camels went to to sleep, honored to visit such a great man's home. The next morning the wise men continued the 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 were are going," said Pends.

"Where?" asked the other two.

"My master , Balthazar, loaded a chest full of gold on my back," said Penda. "Gold is a gift given to a king. This king must live in a fabulous palace somewhere to the west.

The other camels nodded, "Your 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 Kin,", bragged Penda.

The other camels said. "You were right."

But the next morning, the wise men continued 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 were are going," said Nina.

"Where?" asked the other tow.

"My master, Gaspar, Put a container filled with sweet-smelling frankincense on my back," said Nina "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."

The other camels nodded, "You may be right."

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."

But after a short time, they mounted their camels and continued the journey. It was nighttime as they approached a small town called Bethlehem. The great star led them to a very small house.

The three wise men knocked on the door. A man named Joseph greed them.

"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 ad worshiped him.