In celebration of Christmas, I invited readers to write an story
about the painting below. Enjoy the short stories submitted and have a
Merry Christmas!
By
Megan Wilson
“Mama, I thought I heard a cat crying. Come on, let’s go
see!” Julia cried pulling her mother’s hand toward the weak mewing sound.
“Julia, we have to keep walking if we hope to make it to
grandma’s house for Christmas dinner.” Her mother stopped her in mid pull.
“Please? Can’t we just go look?”
Her mother frowned staring up at the sky. It was starting to
get really dark and it looked like a true snow sky. That was all they needed to
get stranded in the middle of the forest in a blizzard.
“No, sweetheart. We really must go.”
Julia sighed and nodded, “Alright, mama. I understand.”
They headed off into night. Julia whispered something softly
under her breath.
“What was that Julia? I couldn’t hear you.” Her mother
asked.
“Oh, nothing mama. I was just asking God to protect that
poor little kitten.”
Her mother smiled remembering how she used to do the same
thing when she was a young girl. “Did you know I used to do the same thing?”
“You did?”
“Yes, I was so worried about every animal finding a home for
Christmas. I longed to bring each one home with me. However, my parents were
both very allergic and so I was not allowed to.”
Julia pouted sadly, “Mama, what happened to them then?”
“I wish I could say they all found homes, but I truly do not
know. I like to believe they did. I mean, God made animals and He wouldn’t let
them suffer.” She squeezed her daughter’s hand tightly.
“Mama, if I ever wanted a pet – could I get one?”
“Of course you can, sweetie. After we return home we shall
head to the local shelter and pick one out.”
Julia grinned, “I want a lion with a big bushy mane!”
Her mother laughed, “A lion, huh? Well, we will see what we
can do. Let’s go silly girl.”
They walked through the forest chattering happily about
different type of animals they could possibly get from the shelter. Julia
wanted everything from a lion to a polar bear to a raccoon.
Her mother couldn’t believe how much her daughter was like
her as they walked up the path to the old log cabin.
“Look at all the lights!” Julia exclaimed running up the
steps and ringing the doorbell which chimed ‘Jingle Bells’. Her grandmother
answered the door with a smile.
“Oh, Heather and Julia! I was being to worry you weren’t
going to make it before the snowstorm hit. Come on in. Dinner is just coming
out of the oven.”
Julia followed her grandmother into the house. She loved the
way her grandma always decorate the house each year in a different winter
theme. This year was all about Christmas lights and she loved it.
There were Christmas trees throughout the house, but her
most favorite one of all sat right beside the fireplace. It was a very tall and
full tree with gorgeous white twinkle lights strung throughout it.
There were few ornaments, but Julia liked it simple. It brought
to life the true spirit of Christmas.
Her grandmother watched her stare at the tree with eyes full
of wonder and she smiled.
“What are you smiling about?” Heather asked coming to stand
beside her mom.
“She is just so much like you – and not just in looks
either.”
She nodded, “Yes, she really is. On our way here we were
talking about stranded animals and how we have to trust God to care for them if
we can’t.”
“Yeah, mama said I can have a pet. We are planning on going
to the shelter when we get home!”
Her grandmother laughed, “I’m sure that will be a gift not
only for you, but your mother too. Heather always wanted a cat, but we couldn’t
have one due to allergies.”
Her grandfather came around the corner, “Why are you all
just standing here? The turkey is starting to get cold.”
“Grandpa!” Julia ran toward him and he pulled her into a
hug. She giggled, “You look silly with the santa hat on.”
“Now, my dear girl, this is a very special hat. I wear it
each day in the month of December.”
“Really?”
Heather smiled, “Yes, and he has had it since I was a little
girl.” She kissed his cheek, “Hi, dad. Merry Christmas.”
“Hi, darling. Now, let’s go eat some turkey!” He chuckled
turning with Julia still in his arms toward the dining room.
Once all seated at the table, they gathered hands and bowed
their heads. Grandpa looked at Julia and said, “Jules, why don’t you pray for
us tonight?”
“Okay, grandpa.” They closed their eyes and she prayed
loudly, “Dear Jesus, thank you for my mama and my grandma and my grandpa. Thank
you for giving me such a nice family. Please protect that poor kitty out there
in the cold – help it find a good home with a loving family. Thank you for the
yummy turkey and please make all the carrots at the table disappear. We love you
and we ask you to dine with us tonight. Merry Christmas, Jesus! Amen!”
As her grandma grabbed the plate in front of Julia she
smiled, “That was a lovely prayer, my dear.”
Julia beamed proudly, “Thank you. I think Jesus enjoyed it
as well.” Her face fell when her grandma piled some carrots onto her plate and
she muttered, “If only He would listen to me about the carrots.”
Her grandmother giggled softly and handed her the plate of
food, “Jesus knows carrots are good for you, no matter how you dislike them. I
used to hate lima beans and would pray each and every night that God would take
them away. It is funny now though for I love them now that I am older. Perhaps
that will happen with you as well.”
Julia shook her head, “Nope. I hate carrots and I shall
always hate them.” Once again her grandma giggled and she picked up her fork
shoving them away from her other food.
After dinner they
headed into the living room and grandpa sat at the piano.
“What shall I play?” He asked.
Heather smiled, “Dad, play ‘O Holy Night’. It always was my
favorite carol.”
Julia watched his fingers move over the keys as music filled
the room. She felt very happy when she heard her grandmother and mama start
singing along. She sang the few words she knew and her grandpa helped her with
the rest.
After two more songs and some delicious apple pie, her and
her mother donned their coats. Heather kissed her parents goodbye while Julia
hugged them tightly.
She walked outside holding her mother’s hand tightly and
waved at her grandparents. “Bye grandma! Bye grandpa! Merry Christmas!” She
called and they said Merry Christmas back.
Her mother pulled her cape around her and shivered. It was
getting colder and the wind was starting to pick up. She glanced at the sky
again and bit her lip nervously. Maybe they should stay with her parents for
the night. She looked back at the house and saw that the lights were already
shut off. She shook her head. No, her and Julia would be fine.
“Come along, Julia. We have a long walk home.”
They moved silently through the woods and as they came
toward a small bridge Julia gasped. She had heard that faint mewing once again.
She dropped her mother’s hand and dashed across the bridge into the deep snow
from the day before.
“Julia! Come back here!” Her mother cried, but she ignored
it. She couldn’t – no wouldn’t let that poor kitten freeze to death.
She pushed through the snow.
“Julia! Please come back!”
As she neared the edge of the small creek, she spotted
something small and fluffy. She heard the mew again and rushed to pick the poor
kitten up in her arms. Her feet slipped on the ice, but she was able to gain
her balance again. She knelt on the ice and reached out her hand toward the
bundle of fur.
She giggled as a wet nose touched her finger and she reached
to pick up the kitten. She wrapped the animal in her cape and smiled softly,
“You are safe now. I promise.”
Her mother gasped stopping beside her, “Julia, what on earth
do you think you are doing?!”
Julia looked up and apologized, “I’m sorry mama. I heard the
crying again and couldn’t leave it out here in the cold.”
Her mother sighed helping her stand up, “You could have
fallen into the creek!”
“Mama, truly I am sorry.”
Heather pulled her daughter into her arms, “Don’t you ever
do that again, you hear me?”
Julia nodded, “Yes, mama. I hear you.” She pushed back just
enough for the kitten to poke it’s head up.
“Oh, the precious thing. It is so tiny. Can’t be more than a
few months old.”
“Mama, can we keep him? He doesn’t have a home.”
Heather sighed and asked, “There is no collar?”
Her daughter shook her head, “No, mama. No collar.”
She smiled, “Then I suppose we can keep him.”
“Really?!” Julia exclaimed excitedly and she laughed.
“Yes, really.” She stood up and grabbed her daughter’s hand.
“Now let’s get home and get warmed up.”
Julia giggled looking at the orange striped kitten, “Mama,
look! He looks like a mini lion!”
Heather glanced down and laughed because with all the fur
the kitten had he really did look like a lion. “God heard your request,
sweetheart. He sent you a lion for Christmas.”
Julia grinned, “And that shall be his name - Lion!”
“I think it is perfect.” Her mother whispered as they headed
home for the night snow starting to fall all around them.
The End
Would you like to find out more about Megan Wilson's work? Check out her Facebook page about her books! https://www.facebook.com/
6 comments:
Oh, this is such a very precious story! You made me laugh when Julia prayed that Jesus would make the carrots disappear. My request was for the turnip greens to disappear when I was little. Loved the name Julia gave to the kitten and how everything was so neatly tied together at the end. Such a sweet nostalgic story that brought back memories for me. Keep up the outstanding work. God bless you.
Cute story. :)
So sweet! I'm so glad I got to read your work!
As the owner of a buff tabby kitty, this is very near to my heart! Thank you so much for writing that. : )
You reflected a child's love and care for an innocent kitten beautifully.
This was a lovely story. I liked the way Julia immediately was ready to go find the kitten when she heard it, and how she prayed for it. It was very sweet.
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