Hippo in the Stable
Mark Trodd
Harriet the hippo is captured by Roman soldiers and taken to Jerusalem. She escapes with the help of a friend, hides in a stable in Bethlehem, and witnesses the arrival of the wise men. When Jesus is taken to Egypt, to get away from King Herod, Harriet follows Him to get home.

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book excerpt

Harriet kept drinking while Boon looked around.
“This stable looks like a good place.”
“I hope no one lives in here,” whispered Harriet.
“Hide under this hay and get some sleep,” said Boon.
Before you could spell HIPPOPOTAMUS, they were both fast asleep.

The next morning, Boon and Harriet heard voices.

“What can you see?” asked Harriet.
“Three men are bowing of a box of hay,” said Boon.
Harriet tried not to giggle.
“Wait,” said Boon. “There’s a Baby in the box.”
Harriet was puzzled. “Do people eat babies for breakfast?”
“Don’t be silly,” said Boon.

“The men are giving presents,” explained Boon.
“Are they trying to buy the Baby?” said Harriet.
“No more silly questions. I can’t hear what they’re saying.”

“With these gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh we worship you, O King of all Kings. Your star told us you were here. Wise men said You would come to save us from our sins and show us the way to God. We worship you.”

Suddenly, a servant ran in. “King Herod’s soldiers have been snooping around.”
“Then we better leave,” said one of the men. “I don’t trust Herod.”

After the men left, Joseph looked at his wife.
“Mary, an angel of the Lord spoke to me in a dream last night. He said we have to go to Egypt. Herod wants to kill the Baby.”
“Then we better leave too,” she said.

“Where are they going on that donkey?” asked Harriet.
“I’ll tell you later,” said Boon. “We have to go too.”

A cloud of dust appeared near the town just as they reached some rocks. Suddenly, they heard horses snorting, men yelling, women screaming and babies crying. Harriet and Boon were so scared that they stayed hidden for the whole day and all that night.

“Wake up Harriet. The soldiers have gone,” yelled Boon.
Harriet opened her eyes to see Boon staring straight at her.
“Stop doing that, Boon.”
“Listen,” said Boon. “I know how we can get back home.”
“Home! How?” she demanded.
Boon explained….

If you like this book, look out for the sequel – Hippo in the Garden – which will soon be available at this site.