I feel Christmassy and since England doesn't celabrate Thanksgiving ,I decided to write this .I own nothing except the teacher,don't sue,you'll get zip from me anyway.
Ages of the children:
Peter : 5 1/2
Susan: 4
Edmund 21/2
Lucy 11/2
There was only three more weeks until Christmas and in three days Bowes Primary School would be giving their annual Christmas pageant.
Miss Decker stood in fron of her five and six year old class,"Right then,I have all the parts written down in this bowl" she held up a fishbowl, "Now don't worry everyones going to have a part,some are big,some are small"
She took out the first paper and called out the name,soon everyone had a part.
Peter stared at his slip of paper,he was going to be an angel and not just any angel but Gabriel he didn't want to be Gabriel,gabriel had alot of parts.
Miss Decker came up to his desk,"You don't look too happy,being Gabriel is a wonderful oppurtunity"
"Let someone else do it then" he whispered peeling off the paper from his crayon.
When school let out an hour later,Miss Decker called Peter up to her desk,she handed him a envelope.
"Make sure you give that to your Mum" she said.
Peter nodded and left the room.
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Four year old Susan jumped off the couch and ran to the front door,"Peter's home!" she cried happily.
Mummy came out of the kitchen balancing one and a half year old Lucy on her hip,two and two and a half year old Edmund toddled behind set Lucy on the floor and bent down unbuttoning Peter's coat and taking off his scarf.
"What's this?" she asked taking the note from his hand as she pulled off his mittens
" A note from Teacher" Peter said.
"Youre going to be in the Christmas pageant and you're going to be Gabriel,Darling that's wonderful!,I'll have to make you a costume" Mummy said ,she looked at Peter he looked as if someone had told him his best friend had went into the kitchen and Peter followed her.
"I don't think I can be in the play anyway,so you don't have to make me a costume,okay,Mummy" he said seriously
"Why not" she asked ,taking some meat out of the icebox
"I'm sick I got a fatal disease" Peter said
"Oh dear,what do you have,then and will you be able to eat dinner with us tonight" Mummy asked her eyes twinkling.
"I've got confirmation" he said
"Peter,love you can't have confirmation,that's not a disease" Mummy said
"Whatever Grandmamma told you Auntie Martha has"Peter replied
"Consumption" Mummy replied
"That's what I got then" he said
Susan came in,"Mummy tell Eddie he mustn't try to eat the candy canes from the tree or he'll get sick"
"Does he keep trying to eat them" Mummy asked,the front door opened and closed.
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"Lo,I bring " Peter scrunched up his face trying to remember the line Mummy was in the parlour with him helping him practice his lines.
"'Tidings of Great Joy" Mummy prompted.
"Tidings of great joy,for in the " Peter hesitated and looked at Mummy.
"Town of Bethlehem" Mummy said.
"Lo,I bring you tidings of great joy,for in the town of Bethlehem,a Saviour is born,you will find him wrapped in swaddling clothes lying in a manger,Mummy what's a manger"
"A manger is where animals eat" Mummy said.
"But how come the animals didn't eat the Baby Jesus" Peter asked
"They knew they weren't supposed to" Mummy said
"How'd they know" Peter pressed.
"They just did" Mummy sighed getting that tired look in her eyes
"How,though" Peter insisted
"I don't know,run along and play,there's a good boy" Mummy said shooing him out of the parlour
Peter didn't like that answer,maybe Daddy would know he was glad it was Saturday and Daddy was home,he headed into the study and pushed open the door.
Daddy was sitting at his desk,he looked up.
Peter came further into the room,"Daddy,what are you doing"
"Fixing the wireless" Daddy said
"What's wrong with it" Peter asked
"The knob's stuck" Daddy said
"Oh"Peter said,he spun the globe that was sitting on the desk,"I'm in a play"
"Yes,I know,Mummy told me" Daddy said
"I have to be Gabriel,he's the angel and he has lot of lines to say,I don't want to be Gabriel,I'd rather be one of the animals"
"Being Gabriel is a wonderful oppurtunity" Daddy said,"He was very important"
"That's what Teacher said,only I don't think he was that important,he only told Mary she was gonna have a baby,anyone could do that" Peter said,"What's a virgin"
"Why don't you go play" Daddy said instead of answering.
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Susan and Peter were lying under the Christmas tree,Mummy and Daddy had gone out to run errands and Mrs. Lauck from up the road was babysitting,Edmund and Lucy were already in bed and it was nearly their bedtime too.
"Peter,where'd Mummy and Daddy go" Susan asked
"To get presents of course" Peter said in a matter of fact way.
Susan rolled over onto her side,"I thought Father Christmas left the presents"
"He only leaves them for children,but Mummy and Daddy buy gifts for other people too" Peter said.
"Like who" Susan asked
Like our grandparents and our Aunts and Uncles" Peter said.
"How come Father Christmas doesn't leave gifts for grownups" Susan asked
"Grownups don't get fun things like toys,they get practical gifts,like Grandmamma sends us" Peter replied
"Oh,you mean like socks,those are boring,but how come Father Christmas doesn't deliver their gifts too"
"He can't it wouldn't be proper anyway,there's no room in his sleigh after he puts in all the childrens gifts" Peter sat up .
"I think you're making the whole thing up" Susan said crawling out from under the tree.
"I'm not" Peter said.
came in," Time for bed"
"Were not tired" Peter said even though Susan's eyes were drooping and he was yawning.
The front door opened and Mummy and Daddy came in.
"Are you two still awake" Mummy asked as Daddy took her coat and hung it on the coat tree.
Mummy took Susan's hand and Peter's hand and led them up the stairs,at Susan's door she stopped,and turned to Peter.
"I'll be there in a minute to tuck you in and read a story"
A few minutes later Mummy came in,she took a story book out of his bookcase and settled down on his bed.
"Ready" she asked opening the book.
"Do the voices,Mummy" Peter said.
"Right" she started reading,when it was done Peter was still awake.
"One more" he pleaded
"No,it's late,time to sleep" Mummy said
"Not sleepy" Peter said a scowl on his little face he folded his arm across his chest.
"Aren't you the least sleepy,I'm sure you are" Mummy asked
"No" Peter said firmly fighting back a yawn.
"You had a hard day today,wouldn't you like to cuddle down in your nice comfy bed" Mummy asked
"No" Peter shook his head a stubborn tilt to his tried to keep his eyes open,but it was getting harder,bit by bit he slid lower under the covers until he was curled up eyes closed thumb in his mouth.