Masada - MARDA

Paragraph: 
158
Translation: 

There is a mountain near the Dead Sea, that is called Mardes; on this mountain reside anchorites. They have a vegetable garden at a distance of six miles from their place, near the seashore, at their feet, so to speak. One of them remains there as an attendant, and whenever they want to send to the garden for vegetables, they saddle the donkey (of the laura) and say to it: Go to the garden, to the steward, and bring vegetables. And the beast goes down to the gardener, all alone, stops near the door, and immediately the gardener loads it with vegetables and send it back. And you can see the donkey climbing up every day alone, and serving the old men alone, heedless of any other person.

(transl. Leah Di Segni)

Summary: 
Story of the donkey of the laura on Mt Mardes, from an early 7th cent. collection of anecdotes.