A Donkey at Our Door: How One Uninvited Guest Became a Beloved Family Member
When my family moved to Jerusalem for a year, we thought that our lives were about to take a dramatic turn. Little did we know that an unexpected arrival would soon become the most unforgettable pet in our household.
The story of Cocolo, our brown and adorable donkey, began on a typical Sunday afternoon when my mum chatted with the doorman at the American Colony hotel, where we often went for buffet lunches. The conversation sparked something in her – she had always wanted a donkey! Fast forward a few days, and to our utter shock, there was another knock on the door. A man with a donkey appeared, claiming that my mum had accidentally ordered him. She couldn't deny it, so we welcomed Cocolo into our lives.
At first, having a donkey as a pet seemed like an amusing idea. We called him Cocolo after a children's book by Bettina Ehrlich, and he quickly won over our hearts with his endearing ears. Our elder sister, Sophy, and I were thrilled to have a new mode of transport for the school run, despite the busy road that posed a risk of accidents.
However, things took a turn when our classmates began to tease us about being dropped off on Cocolo instead of the family Volvo. It was an embarrassing situation, but we didn't care – Cocolo had stolen our hearts. Despite his stubborn nature, he proved to be a good-natured donkey, though sometimes lonely and frightened at night.
As much as we loved having Cocolo around, life in Jerusalem with a donkey became increasingly challenging for our neighbors. They couldn't understand why we were being driven to school on an animal instead of the usual car.
Eventually, after several months, Cocolo was banished to a farm in the West Bank. We would visit him at weekends, but I could sense that he never fully forgave us for sending him away. He seemed to carry out his duties more out of obligation than love. The final straw came when he reared up in response to a sudden noise, throwing my sister and me to the ground.
Mum took Cocolo back to the livestock market outside Damascus Gate, where she sold him to a kind-hearted milkman who needed a donkey for his rural deliveries. Though we were relieved to be rid of the hassle, I still use it as an excuse to tease my mum about taking us to school on a donkey – a guilt-trip that brings a smile to her face even years later.
Looking back, Cocolo's arrival may have been unexpected, but he became an integral part of our family. We learned to appreciate the value of living life on our own terms and embracing the quirks that make us unique. And although we'll never forget Cocolo, his memory serves as a reminder of the power of love, acceptance, and a good dose of humor.
When my family moved to Jerusalem for a year, we thought that our lives were about to take a dramatic turn. Little did we know that an unexpected arrival would soon become the most unforgettable pet in our household.
The story of Cocolo, our brown and adorable donkey, began on a typical Sunday afternoon when my mum chatted with the doorman at the American Colony hotel, where we often went for buffet lunches. The conversation sparked something in her – she had always wanted a donkey! Fast forward a few days, and to our utter shock, there was another knock on the door. A man with a donkey appeared, claiming that my mum had accidentally ordered him. She couldn't deny it, so we welcomed Cocolo into our lives.
At first, having a donkey as a pet seemed like an amusing idea. We called him Cocolo after a children's book by Bettina Ehrlich, and he quickly won over our hearts with his endearing ears. Our elder sister, Sophy, and I were thrilled to have a new mode of transport for the school run, despite the busy road that posed a risk of accidents.
However, things took a turn when our classmates began to tease us about being dropped off on Cocolo instead of the family Volvo. It was an embarrassing situation, but we didn't care – Cocolo had stolen our hearts. Despite his stubborn nature, he proved to be a good-natured donkey, though sometimes lonely and frightened at night.
As much as we loved having Cocolo around, life in Jerusalem with a donkey became increasingly challenging for our neighbors. They couldn't understand why we were being driven to school on an animal instead of the usual car.
Eventually, after several months, Cocolo was banished to a farm in the West Bank. We would visit him at weekends, but I could sense that he never fully forgave us for sending him away. He seemed to carry out his duties more out of obligation than love. The final straw came when he reared up in response to a sudden noise, throwing my sister and me to the ground.
Mum took Cocolo back to the livestock market outside Damascus Gate, where she sold him to a kind-hearted milkman who needed a donkey for his rural deliveries. Though we were relieved to be rid of the hassle, I still use it as an excuse to tease my mum about taking us to school on a donkey – a guilt-trip that brings a smile to her face even years later.
Looking back, Cocolo's arrival may have been unexpected, but he became an integral part of our family. We learned to appreciate the value of living life on our own terms and embracing the quirks that make us unique. And although we'll never forget Cocolo, his memory serves as a reminder of the power of love, acceptance, and a good dose of humor.
cocolo is literally the cutest donkey ever! my fam had a similar experience with a pet pig who escaped from our backyard one day lol it's crazy how quickly these animals can steal ur heart but at the same time be super handful 
. i love how ur mum just went with it and didnt care what ppl thought 
. Like with this donkey, I mean who expects to be driven to school on an animal 
. Its also interesting to see how having a pet like that would challenge social norms and expectations, but ultimately bring people closer together 
. I wish more people could appreciate the quirky and unexpected moments in life as much as this family did 
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. I mean, can you imagine having to deal with the neighbors complaining about your daily school drop-offs? 
But in all seriousness, it's amazing how much joy and love Cocolo brought into their lives - even if he did have a stubborn side 
.
. It's a reminder that sometimes, the things that seem weird or unusual can actually end up being really special 
.
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. But hey, at least you guys found a good home for him in the end (the milkman sounds like a nice guy).
. and it's so cool that Cocolo became such an integral part of your family - i'm sure he'll always be remembered as a beloved (if slightly stubborn) member 
. and hey, at least you get to keep the 'donkey to school' story as a fun memory 
. Anyways, it's clear that Cocolo brought a lot of joy and character to their lives 
. I love how they just rolled with it and made the most of the situation 
Those big brown eyes are giving me all the feels 
. Anyways, it's clear that Cocolo was more than just a pet to this family – he was a part of the fam 
!
i mean its awesome that the family got to experience something new and unique, but also super challenging at times 
! Who needs a Volvo when you got a cool donkey like him 
. I get why we had issues with neighbors but now I think it's all good, Cocolo brought us closer together 
But you can't stay mad at those big brown eyes and floppy ears 
. Glad they could find a new home for him, but still getting teasing jokes out of that experience is pretty hilarious 
!
. Moving to a new place can be crazy enough without having a donkey show up at your doorstep! But honestly, it sounds like Cocolo brought so much joy and uniqueness into their lives, even if it meant some initial embarrassment 
. All in all, Cocolo may have been an unexpected addition to the family, but he's definitely left his mark