Chapter 3: The Miracle

It's 4:30p.m Christmas Eve night. Everyone at the Fort is looking in the sky for the Christmas Star. The Soldiers of course are patrolling the walls. There is silence, the sky is turning dark losing its daylight. The star is shining. Carrie Ingalls starts to sing, Silent Night, Holy Night, All is calm, All is bright

The wind is very strong Caroline says, "Hush child we must be very still."

Carrie replies, "But it's Christmas, Ma."

Caroline answers, "I know but we must be very still so the Soldiers can hear if the Indians are coming."

Carrie asks, "Ma, doesn't the Indians know about Christmas?"

Caroline answers, "No dear. Not if they never been told."

Carrie asks, "Why haven't they never been told about Christmas?"

Caroline answers, "Carrie they don't have a Bible and they don't know about the birth of Christ and His eternal love and Salvation. Oh but Carrie let us never lose sight that if we never knew and accepted Christ we'd be in the same fix their in. God loves us all yet some don't know about it."

Carrie asks, "Could we pray for them,Ma?"

Caroline responds, "Yes of course we can. You lead us."

Carrie prays, "Happy birthday, baby Jesus. Please let the Indians know you love them too, Amen."

Caroline also says, "Amen," continuing on she says, "Now Carrie eat your supper." The supper was a hot porridge.

Reverend Alden in quarters near the Ingalls hard the prayer of little Carrie and then he prayers on his knees with hands and heart toward Heaven with trembling lips saying, "Father forgive me. Oh the simple faith of a little child. I was trying to serve You by checking on Your flock while Carrie simply wanted to love you and prayed the Indians would know your love as well. Yes Lord please let the Indians know your love them as well, Amen."

The wind was blowing hard Lt. Brown reports to commandeer Kaiser, "I don't think we'll see much action tonight sir it's pretty quiet."

Commander Kaiser answers, "Don't let the quiet fool you, lieutenant. They are out there. The Indians are out there. I can feel it in my gut. There won't be much of a Christmas for the children. I'm sorry for them. Well there is not much we can do."

A lone rider approaches the Fort with a flag of truce. It's the Chief of the Sioux Indians with a loud voice says, "We come in peace."

Commander Kaiser of the Fort with a loud voice says, "State your peace, Indian."

The Indian answers, "My name is Black Horse for when I was a baby white man attacked our village and I was dropped by my mother into a burning fire. When she fled from the whites taking us from our village. They killed my father. I was angry. I hated all whites untill earlier today I would have come and tried to massacre everyone of you. I heard in the wind a voice singing. I want to meet the little girl with sweet voice that rides along the wind. She sang of a 'Silent Night.' What is this Silent Night? I believe she also sang it was a Holy Night."

It was discovered it was Carrie Ingalls who was singing.

Black Horse approaches Carrie and says, "Don't be frightened little one. I mean you no harm."

Caroline and Charles standing next to Carrie says, "It's alright Carrie. Listen to what he has to say."

Black House speaks, "Little one, you sing with the sweetness of love. This black Book I found speaks of another little one born in a manger who grew to be a man of forgiveness and compassion who was able to even forgive His own. Those whom unjustly treated Him and even put Him to death. I don't know if you understand little one all that. A man called Jesus suffered. But I in my scars and blackened skin and in a name my Chief called me. I have not suffered nearly as much as Him. This is His birthday and because of Him and because of your sweet voice that rides upon the wind my Braves and I would like to offer the whole Fort Watercrests we gathered and buffalo we shot for a feast to celebrate the birth of the Son of the great spirit, the Son of God. We all hope you can forgive us for bringing you here to the Fort because of us chasing in war."

Carrie replies, "Yes we forgive you all."

Charles and Caroline both nod their heads in agreement to forgiving the Indians.

The Braves brought in the Buffalo and Watercress for the Fort for all the people that had to flee there due to the original Indian attack.

Before the Indians could leave the white men to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Charles stops them and asks, "Won't you join us for the feast that you have so kindly provided, it's Christmas."

Black Horse answers, "Yes it's Christmas we'd be glad to celebrate Christmas with you."

He extends his hand towards Charles for friendship. They shake hands.

Carrie smiles as they shake hands in friendship and says, "Happy Birthday baby Jesus." and she begins to sing again Silent Night, Holy Night

The Sioux Indians and the folks of Walnut Grove celebrate Christmas together. It was a different kind of Christmas but also a good Christmas.

The End

MERRY CHRISTMAS