Babouscka by Mark Antony Raines

 



In a far off land lived a very very old woman who's name was Babouscka .
She is sitting by a glowing warm fire in her snug little cottage,she was glad of the fire as outside the cottage was nothing but snow .

"How I am glad to be inside" said Babouscka.
Suddenly she heard a loud rap on her cottage door ,she walks slowly from the bed warm fire to see who it could be for visitors were a rare thing.
She opened the door with her lighted candle in her hand,the flicking light of the candle revealed three old man with beards as white as snow and so long their almost touched the ground.
In the arms of this three old man were a box of jewels,sweet smelling oils and ointments.

"We have traveled far, Babouscka," said they, "and we stop to tell you of the Baby Prince born this night in Bethlehem. He comes to rule the world and teach all men to be loving and true. We carry Him gifts. Come with us, Babouscka!"
But Babouscka stood looking a bit confused and said .
"I sorry I can't help you the weather is cold and I need my fire,I wish you well in your journey"
She then slams the door on the three old man so the man go back to their journey to a place called Bethlehem.

After sometime sitting in her rocking chair by the fire she began to think about this baby Prince she heard the three old man call Christ,for she truly loved babies.

Tomorrow I will go to find Him," she said; "tomorrow, when it is light, and I will carry Him some toys."

The next morning Babouscka out on her warmest clothes and filled a basket full of toys for a baby would enjoy to play with.

But poor Babouscka soon realised as she went further into her journey She did not the road to Bethlehem and the three old men had travelled to far for her to overtake them.
Up and down roads,through woods and fields she travelled.
If by chance she met anyone she  would say.
"I go to find the Christ Child. Where does he lie? I bring some pretty toys for His sake."

But No one could tell her which way to go ,and so she travelled for years Upon years But she never found that little baby,the Christ child.

They say that old Babouscka is traveling still, looking for Him. When it comes Christmas eve, and the children are lying fast asleep, Babouscka comes softly through the snowy fields and towns, wrapped in her long cloak and carrying her basket on her arm. With her staff she raps gently at the doors and goes inside and holds her candle close to the little children's faces.
Babouscka takes toys from her basket and lays them beside third pillows and whispers into the children s ear this Is a present from the Christ child.
Then she disappears into the night.