In a delightful twist of fate, a casual comment led to the Wollaston family welcoming an unexpected four-legged friend into their lives. Sam Wollaston reminisces about his enchanting childhood in Jerusalem, where a spontaneous encounter transformed ordinary school runs into whimsical adventures aboard Cocolo, a lovable donkey.
A Surprise at the Door
The story begins in 1969 when Sam was just four years old. His family had relocated to Jerusalem for his father’s work, and the Wollastons had settled into their new life, occasionally indulging in treats at the American Colony hotel. One sunny Sunday, while enjoying lunch, Sam’s mother struck up a conversation with the hotel’s doorman. As fate would have it, she made an offhand remark about her long-held desire to own a donkey.
A few days later, a knock echoed through their flat. Sam’s father opened the door to find a man leading a donkey, declaring, “I believe you ordered this.” A flustered exchange followed as Sam’s mother sheepishly admitted to her comment. The children, Sam and his elder sister Sophy, were instantly smitten. Cocolo, with his soft brown coat and floppy ears, quickly became a cherished member of the family, named after a character from a beloved children’s book.
Riding in Style… or Not
With Cocolo settling into their garden, the Wollaston family decided that the donkey was the perfect solution for their daily school commute. Despite the busy roads of Jerusalem, Sam’s mother chose Cocolo over their family car, leading to a rather unique school run. While classmates arrived in family Volvos, Sam and Sophy rode up the circular driveway on their obstinate companion.
While the thrill of riding a donkey to school was initially exciting, it quickly became a source of embarrassment for young Sam. “I know, embarrassing or what?” he reflects, recalling the odd looks they received from fellow students and parents alike. Cocolo, despite his occasional stubbornness, was a gentle soul, but his loud hee-haws at night began to strain relations with their neighbours.
The Bittersweet Goodbye
As months passed, Cocolo’s presence became less tenable. In the face of complaints from their neighbours and the growing pressures of city life, the family made the difficult decision to send Cocolo to a farm in the West Bank. While they would visit him on weekends, the bond between the donkey and the children had begun to change.
One fateful day, an unexpected encounter with a road worker’s pneumatic drill startled Cocolo, leading to a harrowing moment when he reared up, throwing both Sam and Sophy to the ground. That incident marked the end of their adventure together. Amid tears and turmoil, Sam’s mother took Cocolo to the livestock market outside Damascus Gate, where she sold him to a milkman. Despite the bittersweet farewell, Sam has often used this tale as a light-hearted guilt trip against his mother: “Yeah, Mum, you took us to school on a donkey!”
Why it Matters
Sam Wollaston’s whimsical story serves as a charming reminder of the unpredictable joys of childhood. It encapsulates the spirit of adventure and whimsy that often accompanies growing up, even as it touches on themes of responsibility and the bittersweet nature of letting go. Cocolo may have been just a donkey, but he was a catalyst for cherished memories, one that continues to inspire laughter and reflection long after his departure. In a world increasingly focused on routine and normalcy, tales like Sam’s remind us of the magic that can emerge from spontaneity and the lasting impressions of our earliest companions.
