The Cobbler and His Guest
Davey and the First Christmas – A story of the boy who cleaned the stable.
Davey and the First Christmas
Lets pretend there was a boy,
And Davey was his name,
Whose family lived in Bethlehem
When Christmas time first came.
Davey had a special pet…
A donkey small and gray.
And what the two of them did best
Was getting in the way!
Davey named the donkey Tim.
He never rode him though.
Either Tim was built too high
Or Davey was too low!
Daveys Father had and Inn,
Where people came to stay.
And lots and lots and lots of them
Were coming there that day.
His father was as busy as six or seven bees!
So Davey said, I want to help!
Cant I do something, please?
Tim would like to help you too!
Find a job for us to do!
Listen Son, his Father said,
Last week you broke three jugs.
You scared my two best customers
With your pet lightning bugs!
You tracked in mud on my clean floors,
You tripped and dropped the bread.
And though I love the fish you caught…
Why leave them on my bed?
Ive put up with your helpfulness
As long as I am able!
So…do me one more favor now!
GET OUT…and clean the stable!
Davey sadly went and stood
Beside the stable door.
It hardly seemed that ANYONE
Could clean that dirty floor!
He and Tim both felt so bad
They started in to cry…
But then (thought Davey), Yes, we can!
Well, anyhow…lets try!
First lets chase those chickens out!
Thats what weve got to do!
So Tim began to flap his ears
While Davey shouted, SHOOOOOO!
The chickens clucked and flew and ducked,
They fluttered wild and scary,
Until their feathers filled the air
Like snow in January.
Yes, Davey chased those chickens out.
He and Tim together!
But now he had to get a sack
And pick up every feather!
You should have seen how hard they worked!
They stacked up all the wheat,
They straightened up the harnesses
Till they were nice and neat.
They fought with spiders bravely
Till they chased out every bug!
And since we must admit the truth…
They broke another jug!
The very biggest job of all…
Was stacking up the hay!
Davey climbed up to the loft
And put it all away!
Look Tim! You see how HIGH it is?
Ill make just one more trip…
Then clear up by the stable roof
His feet began to slip!
Down came the hay and Davey too!
The stable looked so queer…
All you could see was piles of hay..
One sandal, and one ear!
Slowly they came out on top,
And Davey didnt whine,
Though hay stuck out all over him
Just like a porcupine!
He put the hay all back again,
And stacked it up with care…
But left one armload down below
To fill the manger there.
So Daveys work was done at last;
And when it all looked neat
He picked some flowers to trim the barn
(And some for Tim to eat!)
I hope its clean enough, he thought
At least, I did my best.
And feeling very, very tired,
He curled up for a rest….
Who woke up Davey from his sleep?
Just guess them if you can!
Mary was the womans name
Joseph was the man.
Mary said, Oh, Joseph, look!
This is such a lovely place!
Then, seeing Davey there, she said
With such a shining face,
Your Fathers Inn had no more rooms.
Tonight were staying here.
So tell me now, are you the boy
Who cleaned the stable, Dear?
And did your donkey help you work?
We want to thank him, too!
Though Davey still was half asleep
His heart was glad clear through!
So that is how a little boy
Two thousand years ago
Stayed on to hear the angels sing
And see the Star aglow!
As soon as Baby Jesus came
To use the manger bed,
Then Daveys sack of feathers made
A pillow for his head!
No one told Davey anymore
That he was in the way…
His work had helped get ready
For the WORLDS FIRST CHRISTMAS DAY….
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P.S. Print out this story and put it in the 25 Days of Christmas Book. If you like, you can print out the stories all at once.Use it as a gift or read it together as a family.
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