Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Christmas (04/25/05)
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TITLE: A Baby's Cry | Previous Challenge Entry
By Lisa Smith
04/29/05 -
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They had been watching TV when the blackout sent them scrambling upstairs. Now they were all in the darkened living room, two flickering candles bravely holding the shadows at bay.
Grandpa put his arm around his grandson.
“Scared? Whyever for? Why look, it’s hardly even dark outside.” Twelve-year-old Mary and her other brother, Greg, who was 10, turned towards the window and saw that indeed, the snow on the ground was reflecting the full moon’s glow, making the night shimmer with silvery radiance.
“Shoot, that was my favourite show!” complained Greg, as he sat on the rocking chair with a sigh. Mary tossed her hair back and settled on the other chair.
“The Grinch?” she asked. “We’ve only seen it a million times.” Greg glared at her.
“So! It’s still my favourite!”. Mary rolled her eyes. Jimmy piped up.
“What about mom and dad? How can they go shoppin’ in the dark?”
Grandpa chuckled. Mary noticed how his white hair reflected the dancing flames.
“Oh, I wouldn’t worry about that. More ‘n likely this power failure is only this part of town. Downtown’s probably ok. They’re likely buying your Christmas presents right now, in fact!”
“So now what ‘re we supposed to do?” Greg rocked back and forth vigorously, causing the chair to squeal slightly in protest.
“Easy there, boy. “said Grandpa. “Well, how ‘bout I tell you a story?”
All three perked up at this. Grandpa had a way of telling stories, that’s for sure. It had been awhile since they had heard one.
“Sure, Grandpa!” Mary spoke for all of them. They all settled in comfortably. Grandpa sat silent for a moment, and then began.
“Well children, picture this. There once was a land that was weary and sick. And the people that lived there, well, they were weary and sick, too. Funny thing was, for the most part, they didn’t know what was wrong. You know how sometimes you just don’t feel right, but you don’t know why?”
The children nodded.
“Yeah, like when I had the flu!” said Jimmy.
“That’s exactly right, “ said Grandpa, “just like when you had the flu. But these people, they didn’t get better. They just went about their lives, weary and sick; sick to death, some of them. They tried to get better, but nothing seemed work, at least not for long. Then one night - a night just like this one, with people going about their ordinary business - everything changed. Just think of that, children, the world went on as it always did; folks makin’ supper; or sittin’, talking quiet; or visiting with friends; and it all changed, and most nobody knew.”
“How’d it change, Grandpa?” asked Jimmy. Mary had a suspicion she knew where this was going, but sat silent, enjoying the hypnotic spell of her grandfather’s voice. He chuckled.
“Well, here’s the strange thing - a baby cried. That’s how it changed, Jimmy, a baby cried.”
Mary smiled. She knew it! Jimmy still looked confused.
“He’s talking about Jesus, “ explained Greg. “Right,Grandpa?”
“You’re right, Greg. Baby Jesus cried in the middle of the night, and everything changed! Can you imagine, children, walking down that road in Bethlehem, and hearing a baby cry, sudden-like?” Mary pictured the town: dark, with moonlight bathing the houses, just like tonight; the feel of her feet on the dusty road, and the piercing cry of a newborn splitting the night. A tingle of awe raced down her spine.
“Oh, I bet there was some dancin’ in that stable!” Grandpa’s eyes shone with merriment.
“Dancing?” asked Mary.
“Sure, dancing! The animals, dancin’! Sweet Mary and faithful Joseph, dancin’! The stars above, dancin’ in the sky! Angels and shepherds, dancin’! Everything had changed, you see!” His voice dropped, and they leaned forward, expectantly. “There was hope. The King had come, and he would make things right!”
Mary glanced at Greg, who was grinning. She grinned too. Almost felt like dancing herself, in the candlelight, with the moon shining down so beautiful outside.
The lights came on suddenly, and the mood was broken.
Greg went back downstairs to the Grinch, and Grandpa took Jimmy to bed.
Mary turned off the lights and sat looking outside, seeing the snow begin to fall, thinking about how a baby’s cry had the power to change the world.
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