Balaam holds the dubious distinction of being the only biblical character to have had a conversation with a donkey. Balaam was an enigmatic Mesopotamian prophet and magician who was hired by Balak, an enemy of Israel, to curse Israel. On his way there, his donkey balked at going on because it saw an angel and was fearful. The donkey even spoke to Balaam about this, according to Numbers 22:28-30.