Three Minute Stories

THE LITTLE GRAY DOVES

There are many old, old stories about the dear Christ Child when he was little. Not all of them are true, but all are sweet and lovely; listen now, and you shall hear one.

It had been raining in Nazareth, and the ground, which had long been parched and dry, was turned to wet clay. This was a wonderful thing for the children, and they all ran to play with the clay, just as you boys and girls do now. Some dug canals and wells, some built houses and towers; while others took the soft clay in their hands and moulded it into shapes of men and animals. The little Jesus joined this last group, and while they made dogs and cats, horses and lions, he made little gray doves, and set them one by one on the edge of the fountain.

Presently sweet Mary the Mother came to the door and looked out, to see what the children were doing.

“See!” cried one little boy. “Mary Mother, see my dog! he can almost wag his tail and bark.”

“Look at my lion!” cried another. “He is so big and strong, he could eat up your dog in a minute.”

“Ho!” said a third. “My man here could whip your dog, and kill your lion with his sword, so he is the best of all.”

Mary Mother smiled, and praised the dog, the lion, and the man. Then she said, “And what has my little Jesus to show me?”

“I have made some little gray doves,” said Jesus. “See! here they are!”

“And what can they do, my little one?” asked sweet Mary, as she stroked the boy’s curly head.

“I think they can fly!” said little Jesus. “Fly, pretty doves!”

He clapped his hands, and up flew the doves like a soft gray cloud. Then fluttered round the child’s fair head, and lighted for a moment on his shoulders and his hands; then they spread their gray wings and flew up into the sky, and were seen no more.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

“What is going on to-day, Little Cat?” asked Little Dog. “Every one seems so happy and merry. I had chicken-bones for breakfast, with ever so much meat on them!”

“I had creamed fish,” said Little Cat; “and it was real cream. Look! Little Girl tied a red ribbon round my neck, and said I was a beauty. Am I, Little Dog?”

“Yes, for a cat!” said Little Dog. “Am I?”

“Yes, for a dog!” said Little Cat.

“I have a new collar, you see,” said Little Dog. “And your girl has on a new blue dress, and my boy a velvet jacket. And they are not going to say one cross word all day; I heard them tell their mother so.”

“I was in the nursery this morning,” said Little Cat. “The children’s stockings were full of toys and sugar-plums, and they kissed each other and said, ‘Merry’ – something! What can it all mean?”

“Let us ask Great Old Dog!” said Little Dog. “He knows almost everything, and he can surely tell us.”

Great Old Dog was asleep, but he woke up and heard their story patiently. “It was ‘Merry Christmas!’ that the children said,” he told them. “This is Christmas Day.”

“What does it mean?” asked Little Cat.

“I don’t understand all about it,” said Great Old Dog; “but it is the best day in the whole year, for everybody is happy and kind, and tries to do pleasant things for everybody else. I think some one was born who brought kindness into the world.”

“Well,” said Little Dog; “if everybody is going to be good we must be good, too. Little Cat, I will not growl at you once to-day, even if they put our dinner on the same plate!”

“Nor I at you,” said Little Cat, “even if there is only one cushion by the fireside.”

“Nice Little Cat!” said Little Dog.

“Good Little Dog!” said Little Cat.

Just then in came Little Girl in her blue dress and Little Boy in his velvet jacket. “Merry Christmas!” they cried: “Little Cat and Little Dog, and dear, good Great Old Dog!”

“We wish you Merry Christmas,And a happy New Year;A pocket full of money,And a heart full of cheer!”

“Merry Christmas!” said Little Dog (but it sounded like “Yap! yap!”).

“Merry Christmas!” said Little Cat (but it sounded like “Purrrrrrrrrrr!”).

“Merry Christmas!” said Great Old Dog, deep down in his great old throat (but it sounded like “Wuff! Wuff! WUFF!”).

CHRISTMAS GIFTS

“Mother,” said Jack, “may I have some money to buy Christmas presents with?”

“Dear,” said his mother, “I have no money. We are very poor, and I can hardly buy food for us all.”

Jack hung his head; if he had not been ten the tears would have come to his eyes, but he was ten.

“All the other boys give presents!” he said.

“So shall you!” said his mother. “All presents are not bought with money. The best boy that ever lived was as poor as we are, and yet he was always giving.”

“Who was he?” asked Jack; “and what did he give?”

“This is his birthday,” said the mother. “He was the good Jesus. He was born in a stable, and he lived in a poor workingman’s house. He never had a penny of his own, yet he gave twelve good gifts every day. Would you like to try his way?”

“Yes!” cried Jack.

So his mother told him this and that; and soon after Jack started out, dressed in his best suit, to give his presents.

First, he went to Aunt Jane’s house. She was old and lame and she did not like boys.

“What do you want?” she asked as she opened the door.

“Merry Christmas!” said Jack. “May I stay for an hour and help you?”

“Humph!” said Aunt Jane. “Want to keep you out of mischief, do they? Well! you may bring in some wood.”

“Shall I split some kindling, too?” asked Jack.

“If you know how!” said Aunt Jane. “I can’t have you cutting your foot and messing my clean shed all up.”

Jack found some fresh pine wood and a bright hatchet, and he split up a great pile of kindling and thought it fun. He stacked it neatly, and then he brought in a pail of water and filled the kettle.

“What else can I do?” he asked. “There are twenty minutes more.”

“Humph!” said Aunt Jane. “You might feed the pig.”

Jack fed the pig, who thanked him in his own way.

“Ten minutes more!” he said. “What shall I do now?”

“Humph!” said Aunt Jane. “You may sit down and tell me why you came.”

“It is a Christmas present!” said Jack. “I am giving hours for presents. I had twelve, but I gave one to Mother, and another one was gone before I knew I had it. This hour was your present.”

“Humph!” said Aunt Jane. She hobbled to the cupboard and took out a small round pie that smelt very good. “Here!” she said. “This is your present, and I thank you for mine. Come again, will you?”

“Indeed I will!” said Jack, “and thank you for the pie!”

Next Jack went and read for an hour to old Mr. Green, who was blind. He read a book about the sea, and they both liked it very much, so the hour went quickly. Then it was time to help Mother get dinner, and then time to eat it; that took two hours, and Aunt Jane’s pie was wonderful. Then Jack took the Smith baby for a ride in its carriage, as Mrs. Smith was ill, and they met its grandfather, who filled Jack’s pockets with candy and popcorn and invited him to a Christmas Tree that night.

Next Jack went to see Willy Brown, who had been ill for a long time and could not leave his bed. Willy was very glad to see him; they played a game, and then each told the other a story, and before Jack knew it the clock struck six.

“Oh!” cried Jack. “You have had two!”

“Two what?” asked Willy.

“Two hours!” said Jack; and he told Willy about the presents he was giving. “I am glad I gave you two,” he said, “and I would give you three, but I must go and help Mother.”

“Oh, dear!” said Willy. “I thank you very much, Jack. I have had a perfectly great time, and it has driven the pain away; but I have nothing to give you.”

Jack laughed. “Why, don’t you see,” he cried, “you have given me just the same thing? I have had a great time, too.”

“Mother,” said Jack as he was going to bed, “I have had a splendid Christmas, but I wish I had had something to give you besides the hours.”

“My darling,” said his mother, “you have given me the best gift of all, yourself!”

CHURCH-BELLS

(Adapted from the German of Froebel. Air: “The Bells of Aberdovey”)

Through the window, sunbeams brightFill the church with radiant light.Now the doors wide open throw,That we into church may go.Chorus. Ding-dong! ding-dong! hark, the bell!Oh, lovely things to us ’twill tell,As we walk to church together.In the church so calm, so still,Gentlest thoughts our heart must fill.Lifted high, our spirit learnsWhy with holy love it burns.Chorus. Ding-dong! ding-dong! hark, the bell!etc.And we learn of Him who givesLight and joy to all that lives:He whose tender love and mildWatches over every child.Chorus. Ding-dong! ding-dong! hark, the bell!etc.He who made the forest fair,And the flowers that blossom there,Gave the bird its airy wings,Gave the joyful song it sings.Chorus. Ding-dong! ding-dong! hark, the bell!etc.And we learn of Jesus mild,He the pure and sinless child,Sent that children all may knowHow a child in grace may grow.Chorus. Ding-dong! ding-dong! hark, the bell!etc.Now the organ’s solemn voiceJoins the bell, and both rejoice.Children, join the song of love!Raise your hearts to Heaven above!Chorus. Ding-dong! ding-dong! hark, the bell!etc.

THE BIRD OF LIGHT

(Adapted from the German of Froebel)

A golden bird against the wallFlutters and flits, and does not fall.Birdie, let me hold you,In my hands soft fold you!No! the birdie flies away!Will not, will not with me stay.’Tis the sunshine bright, dear,Makes the bird of light, dear.Sunbeams gay and goldenNot by hands are holden.’Tis our eyes that they delight,Dancing, dancing, glad and bright.Many lovely things we seeCannot be touched by you or me.Sun and moon and sky, too,Floating clouds so high, too,Purple shadows on the grass,Rainbow gleams that shine and pass.Can you catch the lovely songRobin trills the whole day long?Can you catch my smile, dear?No! yet all the while, dear,These are yours, and in your heartAll your life they’ll play their part.

THE BROTHERS AND SISTERS

(Adapted from the German of Froebel)

Five happy brothers and sisters here,They love each other so dear, so dear!The day’s work over, they seek their rest,And sink to sleep like the birds in their nest.Peaceful sleep, gentle sleep,Mind and body strong will keep.When the golden morn doth break,Blithe and ready shall we wake.But before they close their eyes,Hear their evening prayer arise!Praying God, their Father dear,Still to watch their slumber here.Peaceful sleep, gentle sleep,Naught shall break thy calm so deep.He who sends thee to our eyes,Watches till the day shall rise.Through the quiet starry night,Through the day so long and bright,God our Father’s tender careStill is with us everywhere.Peaceful sleep, gentle sleep!Heavenly eyes their watch do keep.Little child, so now shall youSlumber, slumber softly too!

THE PIGEONS

(Adapted from the German of Froebel)

“Curuck! Curuck!” the pigeons come flying,Flying, fluttering, here and there.“Welcome! welcome!” let us be crying.“Come, pretty pigeons, our meal to share.Have no fear,Pigeons dear,Corn and bread we’re throwing,All for you,Truly true,Thus our love we’re showing.”“Curuck! Curuck!” the pigeons are cooing.“Thanks, little children, thanks to you!From the good deed that now you’re doing,Learn we that children are kind and true.Free from fear,See us here!Each to each we call now,‘Curuck! coo!We and you,Happy are we all now.’”

PUSSY AND DOGGY

Pussy White and Doggy Brown were in the yard one day. Doggy Brown thought he would like to go into the house, so he went to the door, but it was shut. He tried to open it by bumping against it, but in vain. Then he barked, but no one heard him. Then he felt very sad, and sat down by the door and howled.

Pussy White had been watching him with one eye, while she dozed with the other.

“Dogs are not very clever!” she said. Presently she went to the door and jumped up and lifted the latch with her paw. The door swung open.

“There!” she said.

“Oh, Pussy!” said Doggy Brown. “Thank you; how clever you are!”

“That is one way of putting it,” said Pussy White; “but you are welcome, all the same.”

DICK’S FAMILY

Now this is true, for we saw it with our eyes. Dick was a bachelor, or so we had always supposed: a large black bachelor, with bright green eyes, and a very fine tail. He lived in the kitchen, and managed things pretty much as he pleased. When Peter, the new puppy, came he thought it would be fun to tease Dick. Dick thought it would be fun to be teased, and when he had sent Peter yelping and ki-yi-ing out into the shed, he sat and purred and blinked his green eyes, and thought the world a pleasant place.

Now one day we looked out of the south parlor window, and what do you think we saw? Dick was coming across the lawn looking very proud and very happy. Every now and then he stopped and looked over his shoulder and mewed as if he were calling some one to follow him. And some one was following him! Across the lawn after him came:

One very thin and wretched-looking tortoise-shell cat.

One Maltese kitten.

One yellow kitten.

All three looked half-starved, and all three were scared out of their wits!

“Come on!” said Dick, as plain as mew could speak. “They won’t hurt you; those are my people: they belong to me. Come on, I tell you!”

They came on, though still very timidly, till they reached the barn. Then Dick took them under the barn and there he made them comfortable, we do not know just how, because we cannot get under the barn, and there they stayed. And when Dick came for his supper he said to Maggie as plain as mew could speak, “Please feed my family, too!” and Maggie did.

That was a year ago. Now the tortoise-shell cat is dead, but the Maltese kitten and the yellow kitten are large and handsome cats, and Dick still sits by the fire and purrs, and blinks his large green eyes.

THE END