When young Claire's family brought home a donkey from a rural Michigan county fair in 1920, several miraculous events caused them to believe the donkey was a gift from God. Dan Mertze, a 48-year-oldnewspaper reporter, vainly tries to overcome a despairing world view that has gradually permeated his writing. He reluctantlyaccepts an assignment to interview 99-year-old Claire Henning, relating her childhood religious experiences involving a donkey. After several interviews with Claire, subtle changes occur in Dan's life as he learns not all troubles are bad and some are blessings."