The Small One (1978) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

The boy's father decides to sell Small One because the old donkey can no longer carry heavy loads of firewood. Since Small One cannot do enough work to justify the expense of caring for him, the father has no choice but to find him a new home. Despite the boy's attachment to Small One, the family cannot afford to keep an animal that cannot contribute to their livelihood.

Foreshadowing: Earlier scenes show the boy loading Small One with only the smallest sticks, hinting at the donkey's declining strength.

• small one
• father sells donkey
• old donkey
• Nazareth

The boy cannot find a buyer because Small One is old, scrawny, and appears too weak to be useful. Merchants and townspeople show no interest in purchasing him. At the horse auction, the auctioneer mocks Small One as unfit for any purpose, and the crowd laughs at the boy's insistence that the donkey is "good enough to be in a king’s stable."

Foreshadowing: The boy's careful treatment of Small One with light loads establishes the donkey's frail condition from the start.

• market
• rejected donkey
• no buyers
• auction

When the auctioneer attempts to sit on Small One to demonstrate his dominance, the donkey unexpectedly bucks and kicks, throwing the auctioneer off and causing him to stumble and fall into the stage. The crowd finds this amusing, and the moment briefly renews the boy's hope that someone might want Small One.

Foreshadowing: Despite his age and weakness, Small One still possesses hidden strength and spirit, shown earlier when the boy describes him as gentle but capable.

• auction
• auctioneer
• donkey kicks
• funny scene

A kind man named Joseph buys Small One at the end of the movie. He approaches the boy at a street corner where they are sitting in despair and offers to purchase the donkey to carry his pregnant wife Mary to Bethlehem. Joseph promises to take good care of Small One and pays exactly one piece of silver, the price the boy requested.

Foreshadowing: The timing of Joseph's arrival under a shining star hints at the significance of his journey.

• joseph
• mary
• buys donkey
• Bethlehem
• kind man

Joseph needs a gentle donkey to carry his pregnant wife Mary to Bethlehem, where they must travel for a census. The donkey must be calm and trustworthy enough to safely transport Mary during her journey. Joseph specifically seeks a kind animal, which is why Small One, known for his gentle nature, is perfect for this purpose.

Foreshadowing: The boy's earlier description of Small One as "good enough to be in a king’s stable" takes on greater meaning.

• joseph
• mary
• pregnant wife
• journey to Bethlehem
• census

The bright star that appears in the night sky as Small One begins his journey to Bethlehem symbolizes hope and new beginnings. It represents the significance of the journey Joseph and Mary are making, foreshadowing the birth that will take place in Bethlehem. The star transforms what could be a sad farewell into a moment of hope and purpose.

Foreshadowing: The star appears only after Joseph agrees to care for Small One, linking the donkey's new purpose to this hopeful sign.

• star
• Bethlehem
• hope
• new beginning
• symbolism

The boy agrees to sell Small One for one piece of silver because that is the price his father set, and more importantly, the boy is not primarily motivated by money. He genuinely wants to find Small One a gentle and caring owner who will treat him well. When Joseph shows compassion and promises to take good care of the donkey, the boy knows he has found the right home, making the modest price worthwhile.

Foreshadowing: The boy's earlier insistence that Small One deserves a kind owner establishes his priorities.

• one piece of silver
• price
• sale
• boy sells donkey

The Roman guard tricks the boy and Small One into visiting a local tanner because the tanner's real intention is to buy donkey hides, not a live donkey. Donkey hides were valuable for making leather. Fortunately, the boy realizes the danger quickly and leaves before anything happens to Small One.

Foreshadowing: This early threat underscores why the boy is so desperate to find a truly caring owner.

• roman guard
• tanner
• donkey hides
• trick
• danger