Elior!

By Marilyn Oliver , Melody Lott and Justin Bowman

Grouchy's ears were pointed straight up and tall as she intently listened.

"What are you listening to, Grouchy?" I asked.

"Shh, it's the owners in the stables talking loudly. I want to hear them," she answered.

Suddenly, she bolted and ran back to her mother's side, braying loudly.

"Hide, Elior, hide!" she screamed as she ran past me.

"What is wrong, Grouchy?" I asked as I ran to Rose behind her. She was trembling as she told Rose what she had heard...

Gallop with Elior, Grouchy, and Rose as they escape the dangers of the stables and are led on a great journey in their lives.

Perform before a king, then cross the deserts of Egypt to race against the fastest stallions in the country as Elior, the great white stallion, tells the story of his life and its many adventures with friends and family.

But who will he find is his one true owner?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 12, 2022
• ISBN: 9781639036059

Book preview

Chapter 1

Iwas born in a stable in Bethlehem into a new and very strange world. I was so used to the warmth of my mother. Where was my mother? It was so warm and comforting before. Now I was wet, cold, and sore. So very sore. Why did everything hurt so badly? Why couldn’t I breathe? What was this liquid in my nose? I couldn’t understand what had happened to me or what was going on.

Then my mother talked to me and let me know she was there. She let me know she loved me and would protect me. I can’t breathe. I tried to tell her. Help me, Mother. I can’t breathe!

For months, I had been protected by my environment. The soft pulsing of a heartbeat, the constant sound of a liquid ocean in my ears. I had been comfortable inside my mother’s womb. I had done nothing wrong to deserve this, yet the ache in my joints and my chest told me another story. Was I destined to die before ever getting to live?

Then my mother gave me a hard bump in the chest with her nose and started licking me clean. Finally, I could breathe! I took my first breath, and almost instantly the pain went away. You must stand and move around, son, so all the liquid will clear from your chest, my mother told me.

I will try, was all I could respond as I continued to gulp in great breaths of air. As I got my strength, I tried several times to stand, but my legs got tangled so easily. Up and down I went as my mother urged me along with her nickering. I was aware of the same noises I had heard while still inside my mother and realized they belonged to people. I was to learn later those people were my mother’s owners.

He is white, just like his royal father, the great white stallion of the king! I heard them saying. We must be very blessed to have the only true white colt born from this stallion! said the woman owner.

I agree, replied the man owner. The king gave many free breedings from his great stallion trying to produce a true white colt, like his stallion, and we have been blessed to have the only one! Since the inn is full in Bethlehem, because of the census being taken, we can spread the news far and wide. The king will pay a large price to purchase this colt when he grows old enough.

By this time, I had finally stood long enough to find my mother’s nourishing milk, filled my stomach for the first time, and fell back down, exhausted, into a deep sleep.

When I awoke, I was much warmer and realized it was much easier to stand up. My mother gave me some encouraging nickering, and I began to nurse again. With my belly full, I began to explore my surroundings.

There was plenty of fluffy, warm straw and a very bright light that was warming yet made me squint my eyes. I could hear the strange noises again and my mother told me not to be afraid, that it was our owners talking to some strangers that were in the stable.

They were very excited about your birth because of your white color, she told me, but now they are excited about the strangers in the stable. They had nowhere to go, and the woman has given birth to a son, the same as I gave birth to you earlier today. There is much celebration in the stable today because they are calling the child a king. I do not understand why a king has been born in a stable, but they are all praising God and worshipping him.

I was already in a curious mood, so I looked outside the end of the stall, so I could see. There were two sets of people, my owners and the strangers. As I continued to look, I realized the bright light came in through the roof and shone down on a small baby that was wrapped up and lying in a basket in the straw. A woman was lying as though resting on the straw beside the child, and a man was kneeling beside her. I wanted to see better so I took a few steps toward the baby.

Don’t get too close, honey, my mother said, just as my hooves got tangled in the straw, and I fell forward toward the new baby. Oh my! my mother squealed as I landed in a sprawling heap right beside the basket. The strange man put out his hand and steadied me with a very gentle look on his face.

Easy there, big boy, the man said to me.

I raised my head and looked inside the basket and saw a sight I would always remember. The child was the first one I had ever seen, and he was glowing with a warm calming light. He had his eyes open and looked directly into mine and filled me with the most calming sense of peace, I was to find out later, that I would ever experience in my life. As I lay there looking at him, he made some gurgling noises and moved his arms around with one of them coming to rest on my nose. It felt as if all the energy in the barn came from his small hand and ran through my face and into my body. With a start, I jumped straight into the air and ran back to my mother.

She nickered for me to stay close to her as the man laughed out loud and said, I see a king’s colt has met a true king!

Mother, the baby made me feel very warm and safe inside when he touched me. What is a king? I asked her.

He is a very powerful and important person, she told me. He rules over an entire kingdom of many people. He is often very rich and owns a lot of land, has many servants, barns, and livestock. I was bred to the king’s magnificent white stallion in hopes of having a white foal just like you.

Do kings have special powers? I asked.

All kings have the power to do whatever God tells them to do, she answered.

Mother, who is God? I asked.

God is the creator of all things, she told me.

Is God more powerful than a king? I asked.

Yes, he created the kings also, she answered.

Why did the baby make me feel so good inside? I asked.

I don’t know, she said. Maybe he is the true king of kings. Some things you just have to learn as you grow older.

Mother, why are all the people calling me that strange word? I asked.

They have named you Elior, she answered.

What does Elior mean? I asked.

It means ‘my God is light’ because you were born the only white colt and on the same day as the human baby and the light of God is shining on him. That is the name God told them to call you, she answered.

How did they hear God? I asked.

They simply listened for him, she said. When you ask God a question, just be patient and listen for his answer.

But I’m so confused about everything, Mother. Please explain all of this to me, I said.

Get more rest for now so you can grow stronger, she said. You have had a very exciting first day and all the stable is trying to rest as well. We can talk more tomorrow.

Chapter 2

The next day, I once again heard strange voices inside the stable, so I jumped up to take a look. I saw my owners and the man and woman who had the baby. The man was holding the baby up so three strangers could look at him.

The men were of different shapes and sizes but were all dressed in richly colored garments, compared to the plain ones all the other people wore. They were speaking in hushed voices, so I couldn’t understand them. They were laying objects in the straw beside the baby’s basket.

Mother, who are those men? I asked. They are very strange looking.

They are wise men that have come here to see the new baby, Mother answered. "They were also told that he is the new king, and they have brought him many gifts. They have travelled many miles to get here and have many more to go before they reach their destination, so they will not stay long. I overheard them talking when they first arrived.

Are all kings born in a stable like this one? I asked.

Well, son, I don’t think so, Mother answered. I know that baby was born here because the inn was full and there was no room inside. I also know you were born to be the king’s horse and you were born here, so I guess it will be all right.

Mother, is that the king I was born for? I asked.

I don’t know, son, she replied. You were born to be owned by King Herod, to be his personal racing horse and next great breeding stallion.

But, Mother, I like the new baby king. He makes me feel so wonderful inside, I protested to her.

Son, you will learn as you grow older that there will be many things that you have no choice about. You will be treated with great honor and well taken care of in the service of the king, and I am very proud that you were chosen to serve him, she said.

Will you be with me, Mother? I asked.

No, son, you will be a grown and mighty stallion then, and you will no longer need me, but you will always be in my heart, she told me softly. But I will be here with you as long as I’m allowed.

Mother, please let me stay with you forever, I pleaded.

Son, I will be with you as long as I can, she said, but if we are separated, remember to always pray to God above for direction in your life. God will never let you down.

Yes, Mother, I promise, I replied.

The following day, I jumped up with a start when I realized the owners were in the stall with us. Mother, what is happening? I squealed. Why do they have a rope around your head?

Elior, calm down. The rope does not hurt me. They only use it to lead me where they want me to go. They are taking us out into town, so all the people can see you. Everyone wants to see the next white stallion of the king.

Mother, I’m scared, I told her. Will they put a rope on me also?

No, son, she answered, but you stay close behind me and follow everywhere I go.

They led Mother out onto rock streets that made it hard for me to keep my balance. As we went, I heard Mother call for me loudly, Elior, get over here son! she neighed. I told you to stay close to me!

But, Mother, the stones are pulling at my hooves, I cried.

Son, do not look down at your hooves, she said. Keep your head up and look around you.

As I looked up, my hooves steadied and seemed to find their own spots on the rough stones. I then realized we had many strange people all around us, with tall rock walls surrounding all.

There are so many people, Mother. Where are we going? I asked.

To the town market, I think, son, she answered.

It felt good to get out and stretch my legs, and I began to prance beside my mother for added exercise.

Not too fast, son, Mother warned. I don’t want you to get lost in the crowds.

Come see the next great stallion of the king! my owners yelled. We have named him Elior because of the light cast on the new child king born in our stable! God has greatly blessed us in these days! Come see Elior!

As the people crowded in around us, I became confused where to go, so I started to circle my mother, not sure what to do.

Elior! Elior! Elior! They chanted together, and the more they yelled, the faster I went. Mother look, they love me! I whinnied loudly as I threw my head and tail into the air and began to jump and twist. They say I’m beautiful! I yelled as I circled her again and again.

Elior, stop that! my mother yelled as she jumped in front of me, and I ran full blast into the side of her. Being proud of yourself for good actions is fine, son, but letting pride consume you and control your actions is not good. You are simply showing off and letting vanity cloud your judgment. Always remember that, son. You are no better than any other horse or animal.

Yes, Mother, was all I could respond. Since I had calmed down, I began to look around again and realized we were in a trading area of sorts. There were people all around us with baskets of different fruits, vegetables, cloth material, and assorted objects.

As we walked past each one, I would smell of them and ask Mother the same question over and over. Mother, what is this?

Lettuce, son. It is good to eat, she answered.

What is this?

Melons, son.

What is this?

Olives, son… Cucumbers, son… Apricots, son, she told me as we walked past each person. They are all foods that people eat but are fed to us occasionally if our grain runs out.

She also pointed out each animal we passed and told me what they were. Those are sheep, donkeys, cows, camels, and horses, she said.

Are they all friendly? I asked I have seen them all at the stable, but none of them have talked to us.

Yes, son. They are all very nice, if you are nice to them. You have simply been too young to meet them all yet, she answered.

Then a terrible smell filled my nose, and it scared me. I huddled close to my mother and asked again, Oh my, what is that scary smell?

Mother seemed a little upset herself as we passed by.

Those are bear and lion skins that these people have killed to protect their flocks, son. Always remember that smell because these animals are not at all friendly and will kill and eat you if they get a chance. If you ever smell one after you, run as fast as you can to safety, she said as she snorted loudly to rid her nose of the smell.

Come on, son. They are taking us back to the stable now. You had had another very busy day, she coaxed to me gently.

Chapter 3

When we returned to the stable, we were not taken back inside where I was born, but to a large area on the outside. There were stone walls all around and several other animals.

Mother, why are we out here? I asked.

This is where the owner’s animals live, Mother explained. I was only taken inside so I could give birth to you.

Can I run and play mother? Please? I asked.

Yes, son, but don’t go far. It has already been a long day.

Mother was right. As I moved around to explore, I realized my legs were already very tired, so I went at a slow walk. My eyes focused on a donkey standing alone to the side, so I approached her.

Hello, I said. My name is Elior. Who are you?

The donkey turned her head and batted her very long eyelashes at me and said, My name is Ulpan La-Inyan.

My goodness, I exclaimed. That is a very long name! What does that mean?

My name means Rose, she answered very matter-of-factly.

Well, you are very pretty, and I really like your name, I replied, but did you know you have two long ears growing out of the middle of your back?

The donkey laughed so loudly that she actually brayed. No, son, that is my daughter Memuremar standing on the other side of me! she gasped out between laughter and brays.

Suddenly, a gray object came shooting around from the other side of Rose and clamped down on my tail. Straight into the air, I jumped and kicked out trying to dislodge the creature from my rear.

You leave my mother alone! the baby donkey screamed. I will beat you up and hurt you! Don’t be mean to my mother. She does not have extra ears! Leave her alone! she yelled as she finally let go of my tail and ran back to Rose.

I ran back to my mother and hid behind her trembling in fear.

Mother was laughing softly to herself and said, I see you met Memuremar and Rose.

Mother, what did I do wrong? I asked. That baby donkey bit me on my tail and said she would beat me up!

You did nothing wrong, son. You just didn’t know she had a baby donkey standing on the other side of her. Now go lay down and get some rest. I know you must be very tired.

Yes, Mother, I replied as I snuggled down in the straw. Mother, what does Memuremar mean?

Her name means ‘grouchy,’ Mother answered, still chuckling under her breath.

The next days were fun as I grew in strength and stamina. I had met and learned many of the animals around the barn, and they were all very pleasant to me, except for Grouchy, the baby donkey. Every time I would approach her, she always pinned her ears and brayed at me.

Get away from my mother! She was very quick would rush under her mother’s belly and clamp down on my tail, always scaring me into running back to my mother.

Mother, why does Grouchy hate me so bad? I asked.

She doesn’t hate you, Mother replied. "She only wishes to protect her mother. You are very tall, and she is small, you are white, and she is gray. She has never seen a long-legged white horse before and it scares her.

But, Mother, she always bites me on my tail! I yelled.

Does it hurt, son? she asked.

No, Mother, but it scares me, I answered.

Then you are even because you scare her also, Mother said. Try again, son, and this time approach her instead of her mother. Maybe it won’t scare her so bad.

So with great trepidation, I walked across the paddock toward Rose and Grouchy. When I got within a few feet of them, I quickly laid down, so I wouldn’t seem so large and waited. After several minutes, Grouchy saw me out of the corner of her eye, and like a streak, she pinned her ears and came running full blast at me.

Get away from my mother! she brayed loudly. I will beat you up!

As I lay there trembling with fear, Grouchy realized my tail was buried in the straw, and she couldn’t bite it, so in midstride, she launched herself and landed directly onto my back.

Up I jumped and took off for Mother as I realized Grouchy was stuck there and couldn’t get down.

Mother, Mother, help me, I screamed as I circled the paddock with Grouchy hanging on for dear life. She is beating me up!

When we got around the far side of the paddock, Rose quickly jumped sideways, and I slammed full blast into the side of her, which sent Grouchy and I into a big tumble into the straw.

Mother, Mother, help me. I’ve hurt Grouchy! I screamed with Grouchy braying loudly in my ears. When my screams for help stopped, I listened and realized Grouchy was not crying, but laughing loudly. Grouchy, are you okay? I asked her between her brays.

That was fun! she exclaimed as she jumped to her feet. Let’s do that again! Can we please? She was now jumping in circles around me.

No, we can’t, I snapped at her as I got up. ‘You scared me because you were beating me up, and I was only trying to be your friend!"

Grouchy suddenly stood still and looked directly at me. You wanted to be my friend? she asked softly.

Yes, I do,’ I answered, but you are always beating me up and trying to bite my tail. That’s not very nice. All the other animals are nice to me, but you are very mean."

I’m very sorry, Grouchy spoke softly. All the other animals are mean to my mother, and I thought you were going to be too. They make fun of our ears and voices and say she is a simple beast of burden. I’ve never had anyone want to be my friend before.

Well, I think you and your mother are very pretty, I answered, and I’m quite sure you can hear better than anyone in the stable with your long ears. When they call your mother a beast of burden, you should take it as a compliment because she is so very strong.

How do you know that? Grouchy asked.

Because I asked my mother and the other animals, I answered. If you would try to be a little nicer to everyone, then you would know it also!

My goodness, she said, I am so very sorry. Will you still be my friend?

Yes, I will and I forgive you, I answered softly as Rose turned her head and batted her long eyelashes at me as if in approval.

You can’t catch me! You can’t catch me! Grouchy would chant as she ran under me, around me, and out the other side. I’m faster than you are, Elior! She would laugh at me. I would finally fall over on my side as I would get too dizzy to chase her in circles any longer.

Yes, you are very fast indeed, I told her between gasps of breath. We had learned to spend our time playing various games in the paddock like chase, hide-and-seek, and king of the rock wall, where Grouchy always won all the games.

She was smaller and more agile than me and could turn faster and hide down in the straw better than me. I don’t understand why it takes you so long to find me, Elior. Grouchy said.

Because you are small and gray, I answered. I can’t see you when you hide in the straw.

Well, you silly colt. Does your nose not work properly? she asked.

Of course, my nose works. How could I breathe if my nose didn’t work? I asked her.

Well, put your head down and smell for me, she stated matter-of-factly. It’s very easy.

There were many things that Grouchy taught me as we played our games, including her great agility. As I smelled for her to find her one time, I realized she was standing on the top of the rock wall above me.

Grouchy, how did you get up there? I asked her as her laughter gave her away. Be careful. You will fall!

No, I won’t, she answered. It’s easy. Come on, I will show you!

I followed her on the inside of the wall and saw that the wall was gradually getting shorter till it reached a point of only about two feet tall. From that point, she simply jumped down and ran over to me.

Grouchy, how did you find that low place in the wall? I asked.

I was hiding from you in the straw one day, and it looked like a good spot to climb up, so I did, she answered.

Can I climb up and look around? I asked.

You can try, I guess, but I think your hooves are too big. You are tall enough that you can stand on your back legs and actually look over, Grouchy pointed out.

As I walked up close to the wall, I saw that I didn’t have to rear up to look over it. It only came up to the top of my legs, and I saw that it wasn’t very wide at all. I was amazed that Grouchy could stand on top of it.

You children get over here, away from that wall! Mother neighed at us. You may get hurt!

Grouchy and I smiled at each other and walked back to our mother’s sides.

Chapter 4

Grouchy’s ears were pointed straight up and tall as she intently listened.

What are you listening to, Grouchy? I asked.

Ssh, it’s the owners in the barn talking loudly. I want to hear them, she answered. Suddenly, she bolted and ran back to her mother’s side, braying loudly. Hide, Elior, hide! she screamed as she ran past me.

What is wrong, Grouchy? I asked as I ran to Rose behind her. She was trembling as she told Rose what she had heard.

The owners are very scared, she said. They got word that the king has given orders for all the boys in Bethlehem to be killed. The king is jealous of the child that was born here in the stable because all the people say he is the new king.

Grouchy, calm down, Rose said quietly. You are not a boy.

But Elior is! Grouchy cried out.

The king is looking for a boy child, not a boy horse, Rose replied.

I know, Mother, Grouchy answered, but the owners are very scared because the king child was born here in this stable and are scared the soldiers will burn it down and kill us all!

Oh my! Rose answered. Just calm down, and I will discuss this with Elior’s mother. Grouchy, you and Elior stay here in my corner while I go talk to her. Rose was only gone a short time and returned to us. Elior, your mother wants to speak to you, Rose told me as she approached.

Mother, Mother! What is happening? I asked as I ran back to her side.

I’m not sure of everything, son, she answered. But I overheard the owners talking also, and you are to do exactly as I tell you if the soldiers arrive. As you know, I stay tied in my stall and cannot run if something bad happens. You are to follow Rose and Grouchy if I tell you to and do exactly as Rose tells you.

No, Mother, no! I will never leave you! I yelled out in defiance.

Yes, Elior, you will. That’s the last I will speak to you about it. I love you, son, and I don’t want you hurt. I will have to rely on God and the owners to come and cut me loose in the event of something bad. Trust me, son, I will try to catch up with you later, after I am free.

Why is this happening, Mother? I cried. I don’t understand!

King Herod is jealous because the king child was born in this stable, Mother explained. He is looking for the child to kill him. He has also got word that you were born here as the only true white colt of his stallion. If the soldiers find you here, they will know they found the correct place where the child was born. You will have to leave with Rose and Grouchy.

Oh, Mother, please don’t make me leave you, I pleaded.

Elior, you will do as I say for your own good, Mother said.

Yes, Mother, I answered sadly.

***

Elior, wake up! my mother nickered, and I jumped to my feet. I was suddenly aware of the sound of screams in the near distance and the smell of smoke.

What’s happening, Mother? I asked