A Christmas Story

A brother and sister had made their usual hurried, obligatory

pre‐ Christmas visit to the little farm where dwelt their elderly

parents with their small herd of horses. The farm was where

they had grown up and had been named Lone Pine Farm

because of the huge pine, which topped the hill behind the

farm. Through the years the tree had become a talisman to the

old man and his wife, and a landmark in the countryside.

The young siblings had fond memories of their childhood here,

but the city hustle and bustle added more excitement to their

lives, and called them away to a different life.

The old folks no longer showed their horses, for the years had

taken their toll, and getting out to the barn on those frosty

mornings was getting harder, but it gave them a reason to get

up in the mornings and a reason to live. They sold a few foals

each year, and the horses were their reason for joy in the

morning and contentment at day's end.

Angry, as they prepared to leave, the young couple confronted

the old folks. Why do you not at least dispose of The Old One."

She is no longer of use to you. It's been years since you've had

foals from her. You should cut corners and save so you can

have more for yourselves. How can this old worn out horse

bring you anything but expense and work? Why do you keep

her anyway?"

The old man looked down at his worn boots, holes in the toes,

scuffed at the barn floor and replied, "Yes, I could use a pair of

new boots.

His arm slid defensively about the Old One's neck as he drew

her near with gentle caressing he rubbed her softly behind her

ears. He replied softly, "We keep her because of love.

Nothing else, just love."

Baffled and irritated, the young folks wished their parents a

Merry Christmas and headed back toward the city as darkness

stole through the valley. The old couple shook their heads in

sorrow that it had not been a happy visit. A tear fell upon their

cheeks. How is it that these young folks do not understand the

peace of the love that filled their hearts?

So it was, that because of the unhappy leave‐taking, no one

noticed the insulation smoldering on the frayed wires in the

old barn. None saw the first spark fall. None but “The Old One".

In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the

hungry flames were licking at the loft full of hay. With a cry of

horror and despair, the old man shouted to his wife to call for

help as he raced to the barn to save their beloved horses. But

the flames were roaring now, and the blazing heat drove him

back. He sank sobbing to the ground, helpless before the fire's

fury. His wife back from calling for help cradled him in her

arms, clinging to each other, they wept at their loss. By the

time the fire department arrived, only smoking, glowing ruins

were left, and the old man and his wife, exhausted from their

grief, huddled together before the barn. They were speechless

as they rose from the cold snow covered ground. They nodded

thanks to the firemen as there was nothing anyone could do

now.

The old man turned to his wife, resting her white head upon

his shoulders as his shaking old hands clumsily dried her tears

with a frayed red bandana. Brokenly he whispered, "We have

lost much, but God has spared our home on this eve of

Christmas. Let us gather strength and climb the hill to the old

pine where we have sought comfort in times of despair. We

will look down upon our home and give thanks to God that it

has been spared and pray for our beloved most precious gifts

that have been taken from us. And so, he took her by the

hand and slowly helped her up the snowy hill as he brushed

aside his own tears with the back of his old and withered hand.

The journey up the hill was hard for their old bodies in the

deep snow. As they stepped over the little knoll at the crest of

the hill, they paused to rest, looking up to the top of the hill the

old couple gasped and fell to their knees in amazement at the

incredible beauty before them. Seemingly, every glorious,

brilliant star in the heavens was caught up in the glittering,

snow‐frosted branches of their beloved pine, and it was aglow

with heavenly candles. And poised on its top most bough, a

crystal crescent moon glistened like spun glass. Never had a

mere mortal created a Christmas tree such as this. They were

breathless as the old man held his wife tighter in his arms.

Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy.

Amazed and mystified, he took his wife by the hand and pulled

her forward. There, beneath the tree, in resplendent glory, a

mist hovering over and glowing in the darkness was their

Christmas gift.

Shadows were glistening, in the night light. Bedded down

about “The Old One" close to the trunk of the tree, was the

entire herd, safe.

At the first hint of smoke, she had pushed the door ajar with

her muzzle and had led the horses through it. Slowly and with

great dignity, never looking back, she had led them up the hill,

stepping cautiously through the snow. The foals were

frightened and dashed about. The skittish yearlings looked

back at the crackling, hungry flames, and tucked their tails

under them as they licked their lips and hopped like rabbits.

The mares that were in foal with a new crop of babies, pressed

uneasily against “The Old One" as she moved calmly up the hill

and to safety beneath the pine. And now, she lay among them

and gazed at the faces of the old man and his wife.

Those she loved, she had not disappointed. Her body was

brittle with years, tired from the climb, but the golden eyes

were filled with devotion as she offered her gift‐‐‐ Because of

love. Only Because of love...

Tears flowed as the old couple shouted their praise and joy...

and again the peace of love filled their hearts. This is a true

story. Willy Eagle