EMILY'S had an important role in the school nativity.

She was the donkey. It was a non-speaking role. None of this magical realism stuff, where the donkey can speak, as he does, courtesy of Eddie Murphy, in the Shrek movies.

To her credit, there wasn't going to be a donkey at all. But when the nativity was being cast and no mention was made of the beast of burden which transported a heavily-pregnant Mary to the shelter of a stable in Bethlehem, my daughter raised her hand and posed the question: 'Is there no donkey?' Her teacher, no doubt wanting to be inclusive, asked Emily if she wanted to take on the role.

Emily jumped at the chance.

Indeed, had she been given the choice between playing Mary, the star of the show, or getting to dress up in a hairy grey donkey outfit, I've no doubt she would have plumped for the latter.