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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.
Author Unknown
Thank you Sue for sending me
this story
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