This story is set in Assisi, the home of St Francis. It is the story of Pepino, a poor orphan, and his donkey Violetta. When Violetta falls ill, and the vet cannot do anything for her, Pepino tries to get permission to take her into the crypt of St. Francis. But when that permission is denied, then he realises that he has to go to higher authority...
This is a remarkably short book, but it is quite quite lovely. I defy anyone not to get a lump in their throat when they read it for the first time.