Maria Montante

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Bluebird and Mouse’s Christmas story

Sunday December 06, 2009 | 12:00 AM

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The spirit of Christmas, which is 19 days away, is obvious in the sounds of music, home decorations, Salvation Army bells ringing, shopping specials, but most importantly in the faces and enthusiasm of children. It is in the innocence of those who take delight in the anticipation of Christmas that I wrote this story and now share it with you.

In a land far, far away in a stable lived a blue bird and a little brown mouse who were different from each other but were very good friends. The blue bird nestled on the highest beam in the stable while the little mouse lived close to the ground.

Each morning when the sun began to shine brightly, Bluebird flew out of the stable into the village weaving in and out of trees with wings spread enjoying the breezes and watching the happenings in the village. He returned to the stable just before nightfall for he was afraid of the dark.

Every night when the sky turned into a dark blue blanket sprinkled with twinkling stars that sparkled like diamonds, Mouse scurried out of the stable as fast as his little feet would carry him to find adventure. He returned at day break for he did not like the brightness of the day. It was then that he and Bluebird met half way up the rafters to tell of what they had seen.

One day Bluebird returned and told Mouse of all the people who were coming into the village of Bethlehem and were standing in long lines to sign papers. He told of a beautiful lady with a gentle face and beautiful smile who looked weary riding on the back of a donkey. “I sang to her and she smiled at me. Then she opened her hand and I flew and perched upon it. She was so kind and we sang together. How sweet her voice was!”

Mouse was listening but it was getting dark and was anxious to leave the stable. He loved being out at night to scamper freely and unnoticed in the safety of the darkness. On this particular night it seemed the village was very crowded. People were everywhere. If he wasn’t careful he could easily be stepped on.

What a wonderful time Mouse was having running from inn to inn nibbling on scraps of cheese and bread. While busily eating he heard a rap on the door. Looking up there was a stately looking man standing in the doorway. He heard the innkeeper shout, “I have no room in my inn.”

The man moved out of the doorway and talked to a beautiful lady riding on a donkey. Mouse watched as they walked off to the next inn feeling so sad for them. Then he thought this must be the lady that Bluebird spoke of.

Mouse scampered beside them and once again heard the innkeeper tell them there was no room in his inn. The beautiful lady looked so tired but smiled as they went on to the next inn. There they were told by a kindly innkeeper, “I have no room at my inn but you may use my stable which is high on the hill to rest for the night.”

Mouse left them as they went on their journey for he, too, had a long way to go and only had tiny legs to carry him.

It was not quite daybreak when Mouse arrived at the stable. He was most anxious to see Bluebird. Squealing excitedly and as loud as his little voice could squeal so his friend would hear he climbed the rafters at high speed. “Wake up, wake up, I must tell you of my adventure!”

“I saw her, your beautiful lady. She looked so tired. I tried getting close to offer my cheese to her but each time I approached the donkey let out a mean bray and frightened me.”

“Do not be afraid of my donkey’, she said as she lovingly patted him on the head. “He is a kind donkey and takes good care of me.”

Mouse told Bluebird he followed them to several inns in the village but there was no room for them. Many of the innkeepers were mean and slammed their doors. One innkeeper felt sorry and offered his stable for shelter.

Mouse and Bluebird were very sad for the beautiful lady and the kind man. Tears filled their eyes and began to spill upon their faces. They were so engrossed in their sad feelings that neither of them saw or heard what was happening at the stable door.

Several minutes passed while the friends comforted each other. Bluebird wiped his tears away with the tip of his wings while Mouse sniffled and wiped his little nose with the back of his paw.

Bluebird was about to fly to his corner in the rafters and Mouse to descend to the ground to his little hole when each looked down and saw them. “Look, look, it’s her, my beautiful lady,” twittered Bluebird.

“And the kind man,” responded Mouse.

From the rafters they watched as the visitors looked around the stable. The man helped his lady down from the donkey’s back. He then gathered clean hay spread it about to make a comfortable bed and laid his cloak upon it.

“Come lie down and rest, Mary. We have had a long journey today and you are very tired,” he lovingly said to her.

As Mary held the hand of the man called Joseph, Bluebird and Mouse heard her say, “You too are tired and must rest.” She then motioned to the donkey and he settled himself close to Mary.

Bluebird and Mouse scurried down from the rafters for they, too, wanted to be close to Mary. Just as she was about to close her eyes she saw them, smiled and motioned them to lay beside the donkey.

When Joseph closed the stable door it became very dark. The only light that was seen came from a bright star shining through the cracks in the roof. Soon in the quietness and stillness of the night all were asleep.

Bluebird and Mouse were awakened with the brightness of the star shining in their eyes but mainly on the beautiful lady. Her smile was so radiant as she cradled a baby in her arms. They each rubbed their eyes in surprise. “A baby,” said Bluebird. “A baby,” said Mouse.

“Come see my child. His name is Jesus.”

As they looked upon the face of the baby they heard the voices of a choir of angels singing. It was like they were announcing to the whole world that Jesus was born.

Bluebird and Mouse knew this was a special baby and they would never leave him or Mary.