Thursday, December 18, 2008

A Christmas Dinner for Mister Poe-Sam - Installment Five

Chapter Five
Mr. Poe Sam is just like the shepherds...

As they sipped hot cocoa, Dad reminded McLean that before the Jesus was born on that first Christmas, the whole world had watched and waited for an arrival –the arrival of the promised Savior.

It has been said that God will at times give animals a special sense about things. Farm animals have been noted to act strangely just before a storm or an earthquake. Well on this night, Mr. Poe-Sam sensed that there was something special in the air. It was that season he had heard about. There was just something different.

Not only did Mr. Poe-Sam sense a special feeling in the air – he also sensed a special scent in the air. A scent unique to people…the scent of COOKED FOOD!

Poe-Sam wasted no time in arriving at McLean’s house. He was happy to see the lights on the tree – but even more happy to see the colorful plate of food on the back porch!

Mr. Poe-Sam squealed gleefully as he plunged headlong into the potatoes and green beans! After much serious munching, he came up for air, just long enough to roll over into the macaroni and cheese. From a distance, the family watched contently as Mr. Poe-Sam reveled in his gift.

But then he suddenly stopped.

He found himself arrested by that other special feeling in the air. This was a wonderful gift and he knew he had McLean and her family to thank. But somehow he knew that this night was not about receiving – but giving!

He must share his gift!

With stark determination, Mr. Poe-Sam packed away some samplings of the food and scampered away.

He first went to Shank, the sleepy old cat.
Shank snorted as Poe-Sam pushed some macaroni and cheese under his nose. “You like cheese don’t you?” Poe-Sam asked shyly, “-then come on! There’s a great deal more on the back porch.”

He then made his way to the den of some sleepy field mice. The children were all asleep but the father would go to the back porch and bring back enough for the children’s breakfast.

Mr. Poe-Sam scratched his knuckles climbing the huge pine tree to the nest in which the gray squirrel family lived. But it was worth it to see their eyes light up when he told them about the green beans! Squirrels are quite industrious and usually well set for the winter, but green beans would be a wonderful break from the daily rations of acorns.

The sparrows are a fearful lot, so rather than disturb them, Mr. Poe-Sam just spread bread crumbs on the ground beneath their nest. They would find a wonderful Christmas gift the next morning.

McLean and her family watched as small animals of all sorts would arrive on the back porch, help themselves to a few portions and quickly flee to their homes.

“What do you know, McLean,” Dad remarked as they continued to watch the adventure unfold,

“Mr. Poe-Sam is just like those shepherds in the Christmas story.”

“They found out about God’s special Gift to the world, then they wasted no time telling everyone about this Savior that was born in Bethlehem. Mr. Poe-Sam found our Christmas gift and then apparently told every animal on the block!”

There was one animal that was not invited. In fact he sat and sadly watched all the activity going on. It was K. Row.

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