Did you want that I should cry at this one? I did, you fink. Gayle ----- Original Message ----- From: "Rosanne Cleveland-King" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2001 1:06 PM Subject: [CKCS-L] A Christmas Story for Dog Lovers
> ----- > A Christmas Story for Dog Lovers > > Long ago in the deepest of winters all of the animals on Earth were abuzz > with the news. > > "HE IS BORN! HE IS BORN!" cried the snowy owl. > > "Come one and all, rejoice!" roared the mighty lion. "Bring gifts to the > new King!" > > The forest grew bright with the din of excitement. Every creature was > running towards the star. The noise was so loud and joyful that it > traveled distant lands. In a quiet glen, under a bramble bush, a small > lonely dog raised his head from his slumber and heard the sounds from > afar. > > He raised his little head and wondered. Slowly he raised his tired body > and sniffed the air. He knew something was amiss - but he knew not what. A > voice ever so sweet was singing in the distance, this he could hear. The > words were not at all clear, but the sound was of waterfalls, and misty > mornings and everything dear... Eagerly he followed the sound and soon saw > a > star. It shone so brightly his little eyes watered. What was this shiny > thing that happily glowed? What could be happening that would bring about > such a lovely sight? > > His little legs beat the path for many days. He became tired and hungry > but still he walked on. He had to follow the sound of that voice. The > voice > that reminded him of warmer and kinder times. He had to follow the light > of > the star. The star told him of happy things to come. At last he came into > a > clearing and his eyes beheld a mystifying sight. Animals were everywhere, > and each had a precious gift. Some brought shiny berries from the forest, > some brought beautiful leaves, some brought twigs from the rarest of trees > and even some brought the most precious wildflowers of the fields. They > were > laying these gifts at the entrance of a stable. Above the stable the light > of the star twinkled more brightly than before. > > He turned to the deer and asked: "What is all this? Where have I come?" > > "You have come to see the new King. He is Born. Where are your gifts for > the child?" asked the deer reproachfully. > > "I have no gifts..I didn't know..." said the lonely little dog with his > head hung low. > > The deer sneered and snubbed and quickly walked away as he tossed his > head indignantly. The little dog's body trembled all over, his little tail > flew between his little legs, and his little head hung lower than ever. He > was ashamed. > > And yet...he still wanted to get a little peek at the New King. Quietly, > ever so carefully, he crept over to the stable. He was so small he could > easily hide under the other animals. Ever so sleekly he crept up to the > manger and peeked inside. > > "WHO ARE YOU!" boomed the voice of the Lion. "WHY DO YOU DARE NOT BRING > GIFTS FOR THE NEW KING?" and the little dog cowered, much humbled. He laid > his little head at the foot of the manger and hid his eyes. He was ready > to > be killed by the Lion, and yet he spoke ever so quietly, ever so meekly, > ever so bravely: "I have no gifts, I have no berries, or twigs, or bright > flowers of the field...all I have is my life and I will gladly give that, > for I have shamed all my brethren tonight." > > He waited - with his eyes closed, thinking that if he did die tonight, at > least he would die beneath the cradle of his King. That's when a warm and > gentle hand was upon him. He did not dare to open his eyes, until he > heard a woman's voice speak: "Do not fear little one. You are safe here. > This bramble in your fur speaks of the gift you have brought to him." The > lonely little dog opened his eyes and looked up at the woman. > > "But I have no gift to offer, save for myself, and that is very > little..."he > shyly protested. > > The woman smiled and scratched his ears. "Little dog, you traveled far to > see the King..that is gift enough when it comes from your heart. What > gift is more precious than one given in innocence and humility? No little > one, you are welcome here." As she spoke she raised the little dog up. > > "Behold, your King, the Son of Man. You shall serve him well." And the > baby smiled. > > So it came to pass and dog was lonely no more. > > And dog has served man ever since, loyal to a fault, and humble he > remains. A gift from God to us, for who, but dog will travel miles > without > explanation? Who, but dog will cower from you even if he is not wrong? > Who, but dog will take a scolding even when he is not to blame? Who, but > dog is content to die at our feet if he so must? > > Let us care for it well. > > "Magic Commands": > to stop receiving mail for awhile, click here and send the email: > mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?bodyto start it up gain click here: > mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body > E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] for assistance. > Search the Archives... http://apple.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ckcs-l.html > > All e-mail sent through CKCS-L is Copyright 1999 by its original author. ========================================================= "Magic Commands": to stop receiving mail for awhile, click here and send the email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20NOMAIL to start it up gain click here: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?body=SET%20CKCS-L%20MAIL E-mail [EMAIL PROTECTED] for assistance. Search the Archives... http://apple.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ckcs-l.html All e-mail sent through CKCS-L is Copyright 1999 by its original author.
