On the stage the lights dimmed until only a single follow spot shone. There was a restrained intake of breath as those watching saw the light was shining not where they expected, but on the donkey, who stood up on its hind legs and looked back at the audience, shading its eyes with a hoof. There was silence. The donkey dropped back to all fours and slowly walked off stage. Silence again, broken by a slowly growing wave of applause, of cheering and shouting, of wiping away of tears. Lives had changed.

inspired by the day