A favorite subject among the masters of painting has always been the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt.  The many variations of the picture are familiar to us all: Saint Joseph walking, Mary and the Holy Child riding on a little burro.  One does not recall a single story about that little burro, however.  

Well then, possibly he belonged to a boy named Obed who loved him dearly.  Possibly again, the little burro grew very old and was about to be destroyed because he was no longer useful to the family.  What happened then?  Did he wander to the hillside stable on the night the great light shone all about, and did he so endear himself to the gentle young mother by his insistence on protecting her Baby from the cold that she suggested he remain with them always? Who knows?

This is the story of Obed and his beloved little burro, Cephus, a story of love and devotion and abiding faith.

From the dust jacket