🐪 Book Review: The Camel’s Question by Jeff Duntemann (Kindle Edition)
A tender and imaginative Christmas fable told from the perspective of a camel—Jeff Duntemann crafts a heartfelt story about faith, longing, and the quiet wisdom of animals on a sacred journey.
🧠 Overview
Published in December 2022, The Camel’s Question is a 14-page Kindle short story by Jeff Duntemann, known for his work in speculative fiction and technical writing. This tale reimagines the journey of the Three Wise Men to Bethlehem, not through their eyes, but through the voices of the three camels who carry them. Each camel is given a distinct personality and a personal longing, and the story culminates in a mystical encounter with the Christ Child—who speaks to them in their own language.
The narrative centers on Hanekh, the third camel, whose question to the infant Jesus is deeper and more difficult than the others’. The answer he receives is unexpected, yet profoundly moving.
✨ Key Themes & Highlights
- 🐫 Animal perspective: The story uses the fable tradition, giving animals human-like thoughts and speech to explore spiritual truths
- 🌟 Faith and fulfillment: Each camel receives a gift from the Christ Child that reflects their deepest desire
- 💬 Mystical encounter: The moment when Jesus speaks to the camels is both surreal and emotionally resonant
- 📜 Literary roots: Inspired by a story Duntemann first wrote in eighth grade, later revised and expanded over decades
“For two of the camels, their desires are simple and easily granted. The third camel asks a difficult question of the infant Christ, but Christ answers Hanekh the Camel nonetheless, in a way that Hanekh could not have predicted.” — Amazon description
💬 Reader Reception
- ⭐ Goodreads rating: 4.14/5 from early reviews
- 📖 Readers praise the story’s gentle tone, creative premise, and emotional depth
- 🧾 Some describe it as “thought-provoking” and “well worth the time to read and contemplate”
- 💬 “Duntemann can write a camel’s POV. He gives each of the three principal camels personalities of their own. This story more than repays the investment of 15-ish minutes.” — Goodreads reviewer
⚠️ Considerations
- 📄 Very short format: At 14 pages, it’s a quick read—best approached as a reflective parable
- 📚 Faith-based tone: While not overtly religious, the story is rooted in Christian tradition and symbolism
- 🧾 Fable structure: Uses allegory and talking animals to convey moral and spiritual lessons
🏁 Final Verdict
The Camel’s Question is a gentle, imaginative Christmas tale that invites readers to see the Nativity story through fresh eyes. With its poetic prose and spiritual undertones, Jeff Duntemann’s short story is a quiet gem—perfect for holiday reflection or anyone drawn to fables with heart and depth.
