"The purpose of this sermon is to make us wonder how we humans, children and adults alike, might live humbly and justly with all of God's creation.
" 'All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.' (Luke 14:11)
"Very early one morning, when the summer sun was just coming up, Jesus got out of bed and walked to the zoo. The animals were waking up, too. The peacocks were fluffing their blue and green and purple feathers. 'Hi, peacocks!' said Jesus. 'How are you?'
" 'Hi, Jesus!' said the peacocks. 'We're fine.' Their beautiful tails opened wide.
"Jesus smiled a wide smile and said, 'Let's walk together.'
"So they walked and talked, and soon they came to beautiful rolling stripes of black and white lying on the grass. 'Who is looking so good?' called the peacocks.
"The zebras opened their eyes and laughed. 'We heard you coming, peacocks. Hi, Jesus!'
"Jesus said, 'Hi, zebras! How are you this morning?'
" 'Frisky!' said the zebras. 'May we come along?'
" 'Sure!' replied Jesus and the peacocks. The zebras started a flowing, bouncing black and white dance right ahead of them.
" 'We can do that,' said the peacocks. They joined the zebra dance. Jesus did, too.
"Soon they came to the huge rocks where the lions lived. '0 lions, would you dance with us?' called the zebras.
" 'Great invitation!' roared the lions. 'Hi, Jesus!'
"Jesus said, 'Hi, lions! How are you this morning?'
" 'Flexible and full,' said the lions. They strode to join the zebras and peacocks and Jesus in the flowing, bouncing dance.
"The boa constrictor heard them, yawned, and crawled out onto a big tree branch to watch them dance along. 'Hi, big boa!' roared the lions. 'Would you like to ride along in our dance?'
" 'An expansive idea,' said the boa. 'Hi, Jesus!'
"Jesus said, 'Hi, boa! How are you this morning?'
" 'Fluid,' said the boa and smiled happily as it crawled down the tree and up on the lion's back. The boa and the lions and the zebras and the peacocks and Jesus danced along in a flowing, bouncing dance.
"Soon they came to the gorillas' trees and rocks. 'Uh oh,' said the boa, looking from high on the lion's head. The gorillas were talking together in a very serious way.
"Jesus called to them. 'Hi, gorillas! How are you this morning?'
"The gorillas looked up. 'Hi, Jesus. We are fervent this morning!'
" 'Hmm,' said Jesus slowly. 'Do fervent gorillas dance?'
" 'Of course gorillas dance, Jesus,' said the gorillas, 'but not this morning.'
" 'Why not?' asked the boa.
" 'The dancing is flowing, bouncing pleasure,' called the lions.
" 'We are glad you are enjoying it,' said the gorillas. 'But we are not in the mood.'
" 'Did you have a bad night's sleep?' asked the zebras.
" 'Was it full of crickets' loud clicking?' asked the peacocks.
" 'No,' said the gorillas. 'We had a deep sleep and are full of energy this morning. That is why we are talking today.'
" 'Talking about what?' the peacocks cried, getting a bit impatient.
" 'Leaving!' called the gorillas, and they pounded their fists on their chests.
" 'Leaving your cage?' the boa asked.
" 'Leaving the whole zoo!' said the gorillas, very, very seriously. 'That is what we have always planned to do. And today is the day.'
" 'That's like flying over the farthest, highest fence,' a peacock whispered dreamily.
"The zebras and lions started stretching their leg muscles. Jesus looked into the eyes of all the animals. Then he said, 'Behind some bushes and trees the metal fence has a large hole.'
" 'Let's go!' cried the gorillas.
" 'Yes!' the dancers all said, except for one peacock.
" 'What about the children?' the peacock asked. 'They will come to visit, and we won't be here.' Everyone grew still and thoughtful.
"Then Jesus said, 'I will write a note in the smooth sand at the playground.' And he did. When the animals read the note they smiled and followed Jesus. They danced a flowing, bouncing, joyful dance to the hole in the fence and out of the zoo.
"When the zoo opened that day, some children ran to the playground first. They saw the note Jesus had written in the smooth sand. What do you think happened then?"
