An Animal Parable Bible Story – Easter
Ask the animals and they will teach you — Job 12:7 NLT
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. — Psalm 150:6 NIV
Introduction
Based on the Easter story, this parable is about how a dove named Roxie announced the Good News to the world. You can read the real Easter story in your Bible at Matthew 26-28, Mark 14-16, Luke 19:45-46 & 22-24, John 2:16 & 18-20. After you read Roxie’s Big News, visit the Animal Parable Bible Lesson for a kids devotion on spreading the Good News that is based on this children’s story.
Roxie’s Big News
By Harrison Woodard
This story is dedicated to the memory of Roxie Crow.
Once, there were three doves, Timo, Collin, and Roxie. They lived in a garden outside of Jerusalem. One day they couldn’t find anything to eat.
“Why don’t we go to the city and hunt for food?” asked Collin.
“The pigeons said there is plenty of food near the Temple,” added Roxie.
“You both know the city is a dangerous place,” explained Timo. “Humans are not to be trusted.”
But the two younger doves insisted and Timo finally agreed. They all flew to the Temple and landed on an outside wall.
“There’s some bread on that table,” said Roxie.
Roxie flew towards the bread with Collin not far behind.
“Wait!” shouted Timo. “It may not be safe.”
But he was too late. Roxie and Collin were already enjoying a nice lunch.
“Come on down. This is delicious,” said Collin.
Timo joined them on the table. But Timo was right. It wasn’t safe. Before they knew what was happening, a big basket came down on top of them. They were trapped.
The three were placed in a cage inside the Temple to be sold.
“Timo, what will we do?” asked Collin.
“We should have listened to you,” cried Roxie.
“Stay calm. Pray that God will protect us,” said Timo.
The three closed their eyes and thanked God for His protection.
The next day the Temple was full of people, but fortunately, nobody wanted to buy any doves.
Suddenly, there was a big commotion among the merchants. A man named Jesus was turning over the tables and chasing the merchants out of the Temple.
“Get out of here!” shouted Jesus. “You’ve turned my Father’s house into a shopping center!”
He knocked over the doves’ table as well. Their cage tumbled down. Timo and Collin flew to safety. But Roxie wasn’t quick enough. The cage landed on top of Roxie and broke her wing.
“Please God, help me,” she prayed.
Jesus saw the little helpless bird. He reached down and gently cradled her in his hands.
“Don’t be frightened little one. I have something special planned for you,” said Jesus.
As Jesus held her up, Roxie knew that she was healed. She spread her wings and flew away. Immediately, she found Timo and Collin and told them all that had happened. They were amazed at her story and decided to find out who this strange man was.
From a distance they followed Jesus, listening to all he said. They didn’t understand everything, but they knew he was a special person.
And then one evening, a mob came and arrested Jesus. They made up lies about him and beat him.
“Why are they treating him this way?” asked Roxie.
“I don’t know why this is happening, but we must believe that God is in control,” said Timo.
The next day soldiers took Jesus outside of town and placed him on a cross.
As Roxie watched, she couldn’t control herself. She had to do something.
She flew to Jesus and landed on the cross. Jesus looked at her kindly.
“Don’t worry. Wait for me. I will return,” said Jesus.
Roxie flew back to her friends who were watching from a distance. The sky turned black as night. The earth shook as Jesus spoke his last words.
Some men took the body and placed it in a tomb and covered the entrance with a giant rock. Roxie followed them to the tomb. There she would wait for Jesus.
For the next two days all over of Israel, the birds stopped singing. Jesus was gone. No bird could sing a cheerful song.
After the first day, Timo and Collin came to visit Roxie.
“Why are you still here?” asked Timo. “Jesus is gone.”
“Come back to the garden with us,” added Collin.
“Jesus said he would return. And I’m not leaving until he comes back,” said Roxie.
Timo and Collin left her sitting on the tomb.
Early in the morning on the third day, Roxie was still asleep when she heard the giant rock moving below her. There was a very bright light that blinded her for a moment. When she could see again, standing in front of her was Jesus.
“You’re alive! You’re Alive!” shouted Roxie.
“Go tell the world that I’m back,” said Jesus.
Roxie flew as fast as she could to the garden, singing praises to God as loud as she could.
Most of the birds were still asleep when she arrived.
“He’s alive! Praise God, he lives!” shouted Roxie.
All the birds gathered around Roxie.
“Who is alive?” asked Timo.
“Jesus is alive. I saw him. He spoke to me and said to go and tell the world that he is alive.”
The birds were amazed at her story, but they knew it had to be true. Throughout Israel, all the birds started singing again. Never before, and never since, has there been a day filled with such beautiful music, all because of Roxie’s big news.
THE END
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