Small Heroics
by Elizabeth Yank

The Small War of Sergeant Donkey
by Maureen Daly
Bethlehem Books
1-800-757-6831

A story of heroism without fanfare, that is the heartwarming story of The Small War of Sergeant Donkey by Maureen Daly. It is the simple tale of a young boy who risks his life without question for the life of another. On a much smaller scale, this act can be compared to Christ’s offering up his life for us. It is an act that we are all called to perform each day, sacrificing our lives for one another, even if it is as simple as denying ourselves some pleasure in order to bring joy to another, or as essential as completing the tasks of every day life, so that our children may have the comfort of a warm home and a healthy meal.

Set in war torn Italy, during World War II, The Small War of Sergeant Donkey is the story of young Chico, who has lost both parents. He along with his older sister, Annalise, eke out an existence in the poverty stricken town of San Palio.

The story centers around Chico’s relationship with a young soldier from the United States, who trains mules and donkeys for the Animal Remount Division of the United States Military. The development of their friendship leads to a mutual affection for a little African burro, nicknamed Sergeant Donkey.
On a deeper level, the story is an example of Divine Providence, showing how God can work in mysterious ways through events and people. If they had not become friends, would Chico have sacrificed his life for Sergeant Missouri? Would he have even known him? Yet, the friendship between Chico and Sergeant Missouri is nothing spectacular. They enjoy one another’s company even though Chico doesn’t understand English very well and Sergeant Missouri doesn’t understand Italian. What bonds them is their common interest in their love of animals. They are both farm boys (Chico, of course, being much younger), sharing an interest in life from a similar perspective.

With little to do in the poor town and a keen interest in donkeys (his family once owned two), Chico curiously observes the large corrals of animals, waiting to be trained for warfare. His interest leads him one day to meet Sergeant Missouri, who takes care of and trains the animals. Sergeant Missouri, lonely for some companionship, is only too happy to have someone to talk to and share his love of animals. Their friendship leads Sergeant Missouri to seek out Chico and his family on Christmas to have some family as part of his Christmas day. From this point on, their friendship gradually grows deeper until one day Chico hears the startling, bad news that Sergeant Missouri is trapped on the mountain and wounded by a German reconnaissance patrol. 

Chico, without hesitation, offers to make the perilous journey to save him. The cliff is dangerously steep, the path is hidden, and the Germans are waiting for the fog to lift to attack him once more. Can he make the hazardous journey at night, when the air is so still that the least sound magnified could attract the attention of the German soldiers? Can he save Sergeant Missouri?

What makes this story especially enjoyable to read are the references to the Catholic Church and Chico’s faith. Already on the opening page, we read about the church bells ringing for the Angelus. Daly also makes several other references to Chico’s Catholic faith: the family celebrates Christmas Mass, he dips his hand in the Holy Water font at church, his family has a small shrine in their home—a statue of the Blessed Mother with flowers and a flickering candle. These and other references to his faith are a joy to read for the simple fact that they point to a reality that God and the Church are an integral part of our lives. Conversely, one of the saddest aspects of modern fiction today is the omission of God from the characters’ lives. He simply isn’t mentioned in many books, even though He is a very real part of life, whether or not the character’s faith is practiced.

One reference which is particularly nice to read about is how Chico, once a week, goes around town “begging” for any items the merchants or townspeople might like to give to the three remaining friars in the bombed out abbey up on the mountain. The friars, in turn, as poor as they are, also share what they can.

Another aspect of this book that is presented realistically without being morbid is Chico’s poverty. His poverty is presented in such a way that we not only empathize with him, but we also feel very grateful, along with him, for any “gift” God has given him, as well as feeling grateful for all the “gifts” God has given us. The story is an excellent example of how fragile life can be. One moment he is comfortable in the security of his home and the gentle rhythm of his family life, and the next moment, his life is turned upside down and he is living in abject poverty, his parents and Grandfather dead, and life in utter turmoil. 

After reading about the subject matter of this book, you may get the mistaken notion that the story is written for older children. On the contrary, the story is very accessible to younger children. The recommended age group for the book is ten and up and I would heartily agree.

The Small War of Sergeant Donkey is fast-paced and an easy read, yet not fluffy. Although that may sound like a cake mix, it’s a plea to expose your children to real Catholic moments in literature. The Small War of Sergeant Donkey will expand your children’s horizons to experience in a realistic, yet interesting manner another time and another place. Your children will have a greater appreciation for their Catholic heritage and another culture. But more importantly, they will be stretched to think about someone else who is less fortunate, living in utter poverty, or someone whose very life depends on someone else risking his life, when no one else dares to save him.

Elizabeth Yank, a free-lance writer from South Milwaukee Wisconsin, is the mother of seven children, five of whom she homeschools.