Re: [pyrnet] Chat: A Christmas Story for Dog Lovers

["Chrissy McConnell" <chrissy_mcconnell@hotmail.com>]

I Love it!  :)  Thank you.

Chrissy


>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, and 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

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