Words Tell the Stories: His fearsome appearance

Review by George Lindon ~ A beautiful and original story about the power of friendship.

It was a moving allegory that highlights that there is no obstacle that is too great to overcome. I feel this is a story that people of all ages will enjoy as there are universal messages that teach us about the values of family, love and friendship.

Guest Article By Cynthia L Floriani

Aba and Shamana a tale of unstinting devotion, love and friendship

The story is set in a fictitious Middle Eastern region two thousand years ago. The tale begins with the arrival of a mysterious stranger to a goat herder’s campsite, who captivates a little girl named Alimud with a story about a giant donkey and the young girl who cared for him.

The story is ultimately one of Love and Friendship between an unusual giant donkey, named Aba that has supernatural abilities, and of Shamana the young girl who raises him after the death of his mother Jenna. Aba grows from a gangly foal to become a mammoth donkey that reaches over two meters in height. He is often regarded as a beast, but his fearsome appearance belies his true gentle, golden hearted nature.

Shamana herself is imbued with a Visionary gift which enables her to interpret through her vivid dreams other people’s destinies and fates.

The story interweaves the Christian holy family bringing them back to life again, by depicting them in what may have been typical daily life during those times. It highlights the importance and value of family being the cornerstone that strengthens the ties that bind each member within it to the other. The story brings together two families through unusual circumstances which over time forms the basis for their unbreakable bond to each other throughout their lives and shows that being a family does not necessarily require being blood related.

Aba and Shamana’s unique bond is tested by the arrival of Jesu who is much loved by them both. Over time Shamana becomes disturbed by her terrifying, ill-boding dreams surrounding Jesu’s future, so decides to entrust her beloved Aba to watch over and protect Jesu as he grows to manhood. However, this means Aba has to leave her to go and live in a distant part of the country.

When Aba fails to protect the one he loves, with tragic consequences he comes to face such heartbroken despair that he wanders the wilderness in search of Shamana. Aba knows that only his beloved Shamana, his surrogate mother can heal him.

At last, the tale once again returns to the young Alimud, who on receiving a gift from the nomad before he vanishes from the campsite, realises upon opening his gift the true meaning of the nomad’s tale about the golden hearted, gentle giant donkey, named Aba.