Thank you, Santa - I love the Baboushka story but never thought about Robin probably knowing it
. All these Christmassy drabbles are lovely.
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| Babooshka - for LizzieC http://www.the-cbb.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=7047 |
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| Author: | Secret Santa [ Mon Dec 14, 2009 10:01 am ] |
| Post subject: | Babooshka - for LizzieC |
Just a little story which I hope will bring some festive joy to today. As darkness descended over Christmas Eve, young children everywhere began to snuggle up in bed, tucking blankets under their chins and dreaming of Santa Claus coming to visit their house on such a special evening. There was even a little snow outside, though it barely made the rooftops white, and was thinner than the icing sugar sprinkled over foods waiting downstairs for the morrow. In the main room of the Maynard house the entire family was gathered around a roaring fire that crackled and sparked as flames leapt into the shadows, while a fierce wind howled outside and made them glad to be huddled next to the warmth. Closest to the fire was Robin, rocking Con gently in her arms. The middle of the triplets sucked her thumb contentedly, her eyes wide and tired. Next to her sat Margot, blinking awake every few seconds as she did her best not to fall asleep against her human pillow. Only Len was truly awake, sat between Stephen and Charles to make sure that they, too, listened to what Robin was saying. With his arm wrapped around his young wife, smiling proudly, Jack looked like everything that could be asked of a husband and father, and as Joey was cradling a swathed bundle known as Michael she, too, beamed down on them all. Even Anna was sat unobtrusively in one corner, the clicking of her knitting needles the only sound in the room except for Robin's gentle, soothing voice. Shifting slightly so that the pyjamaed weight was more comfortable in her arms, she started the promised bedtime story. “I'm sure that you all know of Father Christmas, who will travel the world this night to bring your presents as a celebration of the Christ child. But I'm going to tell you a story that Maman used to tell me, about an old lady called Babooshka. She lived in Russia, and was a very poor old woman. There used to be lots of children who lived with her, but they all grew up and left, and she was alone in her house. “On one particularly stormy night, there was a knock on her door. Thinking that it might be travellers looking for rest and respite from the weather, she opened it, prepared to give her hospitality. Outside were three men, with long, flowing beards and brightly coloured robes, all carrying gifts. “They explained to her that in Bethlehem a child had been born, a king among men, who although he had been born in a manger was already of great wealth thanks to the gifts that people brought him as they followed the bright, shining star to the Inn. At first, she declined to come with them, although they entreated her with all their might, for the night was bad and she could tell it would snow again. “But a little later on she thought again about all that they had said. She knew that there was no reason for her to stay in her house, for nobody would visit her all winter long and she shouldn't be missed if she left. If what they said was true then it was her duty to travel to worship the new king. Suddenly, she gathered all of the toys that she had left from when her own children were little, putting them in a big basket which she covered over and hoisted on one arm. “The weather was bad, but she travelled for many days before she stopped, and then she only did so to make sure that she had enough food until she could stop again. Not once did her thoughts go from her mission, to find the child they spoke of so reverently so that she could lay her own gifts at his feet. Onwards she trudged, through deep snow and across thick ice, often being laughed at by people who didn't believe in the rumour of the kingly child and thought she was a foolish old woman. “Eventually, after many months of travelling, she reached Bethlehem. The basket was heavy on her arms, now, and she felt wearied by all that she had gone through to reach her destination. All the while she had looked for the bright star that the wise men had spoken of, but it was gone from the sky. At long last she found the Innkeeper, who told her that Christ had certainly been there, but that the party had moved on now. Desperately, Babooshka tried to catch up with them, but wherever she went it was the same. If they had been at all, they had gone by the time she reached the place. “Despairing, she was eventually forced to accept that she could not give Christ the gifts she had brought for him. But home seemed cold and lonely, and she remembered the taunts that people had shouted at her as she walked. Refusing to give up hope, she made a promise to herself which she keeps to this day. Every year on Christmas Eve she visits each child's house, coming inside and leaving bon bons or small toys for every little girl or boy, in case one is the Christ child she tries so hard to find.” When she stopped, a calm hush had descended over the room. Gently, Robin eased Con in her arms and stood up, stroking the silky black hair with a smile, for the little girl was fast asleep now. As Margot was in no better a state, Joey left Jack holding the baby and picked up her youngest daughter, following her adopted sister from the room on tiptoe, then coming back for Stephen and Charles. Meanwhile, Len, who was yawning lustily but just able to walk still, padded upstairs and tumbled into her own bed, where Robin came to tuck her up. “Will she ever find baby Jesus?” whispered the eldest triplet, careful not to wake her sisters. Smoothing the hair off of the tiny, fragile face, Robin considered for a moment and then murmured, “One day, yes, for we know that Christ shall walk among us again. And when He does, He will know that Babooshka has never given up her search for Him, and she will be able to give Him her gift at last.” As a last token of affection, Robin bent over and kissed Len's cheek, but already the young girl was yawning deeply, and before Robin had turned the light off she was asleep. Smiling to herself at the memories of falling asleep in her own mother's arms, she turned to go downstairs. |
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| Author: | Alison H [ Mon Dec 14, 2009 10:04 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Babooshka - for LizzieC |
Thank you, Santa - I love the Baboushka story but never thought about Robin probably knowing it . All these Christmassy drabbles are lovely.
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| Author: | cestina [ Mon Dec 14, 2009 10:17 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Babooshka - for LizzieC |
Oh lovely, thank you 
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| Author: | cal562301 [ Mon Dec 14, 2009 3:17 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Babooshka - for LizzieC |
Thanks Santa. I felt tears pricking my eyes as I read. |
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| Author: | Smile :) [ Tue Dec 15, 2009 4:59 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Babooshka - for LizzieC |
Thanks Santa
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| Author: | JB [ Tue Dec 15, 2009 5:14 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Babooshka - for LizzieC |
Thanks Santa. That was lovely. |
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| Author: | Chris S [ Thu Dec 17, 2009 3:47 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Babooshka - for LizzieC |
Thank you Santa. Any story with Robin shown as a normal person is fine by me. |
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| Author: | Emma A [ Thu Dec 17, 2009 7:12 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Babooshka - for LizzieC |
Oh, that was lovely. Such a sweet story. Thank-you, Lizzie's Santa. |
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| Author: | shazwales [ Fri Dec 18, 2009 7:31 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Babooshka - for LizzieC |
Thank you Santa that was lovely.
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| Author: | Cath V-P [ Mon Dec 21, 2009 1:11 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Babooshka - for LizzieC |
That was lovely Santa, thank you. |
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| Author: | LizzieC [ Thu Dec 24, 2009 11:22 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Babooshka - for LizzieC |
That was wonderful. Thank you so much Santa. |
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