12.6.25 - Part 2

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hello, and welcome to Radio Eyes Charm's Story Hour as
a reminder of Radio is a reading service intended for
people who are blind or have other disabilities that make
it difficult to read printed material. Today, we will be
reading from various books on Christmas. Your reader today is Diane.

(00:22):
Our first book is called The Christmas Cat and it
was published by Dial Books for Young Readers and Imprint
of Penguin Group Incorporated. It has a copyright year of
twenty thirteen and the author of the book is Marianne McDonald.
Jesus was beautiful like all babies, and like all babies,

(00:45):
he cried the ninety was born. Nothing Mary did could
comfort him. She wrapped him in a warm blanket, She
fed him, she robbed him. Still he kept on crying.
Every animal is table tried to turn to soothe him.
Doves fluttered down from the rafters suddenly on the creaky

(01:06):
stable door. They cooed and cooed, but they could not
stop the baby from crying. The cow moved low, as
she had done for her very own calf, but Jesus
cried still louder. The donkey brayed a lullaby, but that
made Jesus cry loudest of all. Then a curious kitten

(01:30):
crept out of the shadows. Stepped by careful step, he
edged towards Jesus, reaching Mary's feet, he crouched, wiggled his back,
and pounced lightly onto her lap. Rubbing his tiny nose
against the back of Mary's hand. The kitten showed that
he too wanted his turn to soothe the baby. Mary
opened her shawl. The kitten edged in and nuzzled Jesus's neck.

(01:54):
Then he began to purr, a calm, contented purr that
came from deep inside. Jesus's tiny hand touched the kitten,
and his crime grew softer and softer and softer. Soon
it stopped. The purring faded away too, and in the
blessed silence that followed, every tired creature in the stable

(02:17):
was soon sleeping soundly in the starlight. The babies grew
close as two creatures can be. Before long, the kitten
became a cat. Jesus watched him as he chased butterflies
in the tall grass and climbed high in the fig tree.
And when Mary put Jesus down to rest in his cradle,
it was the cat's turn to watch over the baby

(02:39):
and purr him to sleep. One day, an angel came
to warn Joseph that terrible King Herod was looking for
the baby Jesus. Jealous Herod had heard rumors about Jesus
that this baby would one day be King Herod's soldiers,
the angel said, were racing towards Bethlehem, hoping to find
the baby Jesus and destroy him. To escape, the little

(03:03):
family would have to flee on their donkey into Egypt.
Ride away be safest to travel quietly at night, in
the darkness, when the soldiers could not see them. Hurry, Mary,
said Joseph. We must leave now, this very night. Rushing,
Mary and Joseph packed and loaded what little they could
on their donkey. Where is Jesus's cat, Mary asked, just

(03:28):
before the sun went down. We must find him. So
Mary and Joseph combed through the tall grass, searched the
shadows near the fire, and looked high in the branches
of the fig tree. But the cat was nowhere to
be found. We can't leave him behind, cried Mary. We must,
said Joseph. It's too dangerous to stay here even one

(03:49):
day longer. So, just as the sun set on the
hills behind Bethlehem. The little family set off on their journey.
The desert air was chilly. Mary held Jesus close, hoping
the rocking gate of a donkey would lull him to sleep.
But Jesus needed his cat. He clinched his small fist

(04:09):
and screamed. Campfires glowed on the nearby hillside. Were Hairds
soldiers sheltering there with their swords. What would they do
if they heard Jesus's christ? I wish that cat was
with us, Mary whispered to Joseph, But Joseph only nodded,
his eyes constantly scanning the horizon. But the cat was

(04:33):
with them after all. To make sure he wasn't left behind,
he had hidden in the basket, tied to the donkey's
warm flank. When he heard Jesus crying, he woke up
and began to well. Jesus shrieked with delight, reaching toward
the basket with chubby arms. With one strong leap, the
cat jumped into them. Sh sh whispered Mary as she

(04:58):
cuddled the squirming, licking, loving friends together. When at last
the two settled down, the cat again began to purr,
the rithmatic rumbling as always soothed the baby, and Jesus
fell sound asleep inside mary Shaw. He and his pet
curled closer together, keeping each other warm, as the donkey

(05:18):
carried them far from Haired's soldiers and their awful swords,
far away to the safe land of Egypt. Love had
saved them. The cat loved the baby Jesus as only
a child's cat can, and Jesus loved him back is
only a cat's child can. For all the cats and
all the children everywhere, they were meant for each other

(05:40):
from the very first Christmas night in the bright starlight.
Our next story is called Toot and Puddle. I'll be
Home for Christmas was published by Little Brown and Company,
and it has a copyright ear of two thousand and one.
It was written by Holly Hobby. Dear, my dear Toots,

(06:04):
said the ancient ant, this is for you. It is
my lucky nut back in Woodcock Pocket. Puddle couldn't wait
for Toot any longer. Christmas is only a few days away,
and there was everything to do. Puddle signed all the
cards married Christmas and Puddle he would have to wait

(06:25):
until Toot returned before he could mail them too. Puddle
and Woodcockpocket dot com subject Christmas putts Edningburg is having
an ice storm. All flights delay, but don't decorate the
tree without me. I'm on my way home somehow, your
pal Toot p s, I'm full of Christmas spirits. Meanwhile

(06:51):
at Woodcock Pocket, fruitcake is one of Toot's favorite things,
said Puddle. How many do you think we need? Tulip asked,
Christmas was only one day away. How can two possibly
get home in time? Puddle said, he has to, said Tulip,
jingle bells, jingle bells all the way. When Toot finally

(07:14):
arrived in Boston, it was snowing and very late. Everything
had come to a stop, even trains and buses and
taxi camps. I promise, Puddle, I'll be home tonight too,
thought Toot. Hiked far from the city. The night was
cold and the snow was deep. He trudged on until
at last he could go no further. Toot hugged himself

(07:36):
to keep warm. There in his pocket, he felt the
lucky nut. He'd forgotten all about that special gift. It's
Christmas Eve, he thought, I wish I was home and
wood Cock Pocket. It's snowing so hard. Puddle said. It's beautiful,
said Tulip. If only Toots were here. Toot was startled

(07:58):
by a tinkle jingling sound. As he peered into the dark,
he saw faint light coming toward him. It twinkled and
flickered in the snowy night. Where are you headed, Laddie
woodcock Pocket, said Toots. Miles and miles from here. Climb aboard.
The driver said, I know the way. The first snowfall

(08:21):
had turned wood Cockpocket into a sparkling wonderland. Everything was ready,
everything was perfect. But where was his friends? Then I'm home?
You are You're finally here two Tota's friends of his
adventure and how he finally got back to Woodcock Pocket.
I love the slave rid, he said, felt like we

(08:43):
were flying. I wonder who the driver was, said Puddle.
Let's hang this on the tree, said Tout. What is that?
Tuli asked. It's beautiful, said Poddle. This is great great
ant PEG's lucky nut to Toad them, it wasn't easy
to follow. Asleep on Christmas Eve, Toot Puddle said, do

(09:05):
you hear a jingling sound? Too? Listened? Maybe? I think
I definitely hear something, said Puddle, And I think we
better go to sleep, Toot said. Right away. Puddle agreed.
I'll count to twenty before Puddle count to ten. He
and his friend were fast asleep. When they wake up,
it will be Christmas. Our next book is titled four

(09:29):
Friends at Christmas and it was published by Simon and
Schuster Books for Young Readers and Imprint of Simon and
Schuster's Children Publishing Division. It has a copyright year of
nineteen seventy seven to two thousand and two and it
was written by Tommy Depollo. It was wintertime and most

(09:49):
animals were getting ready for the Christmas holidays, but some
are getting ready for a long, long rest. Mister Frog
always slept right through the winter most for But even
though he always had a nice long rest and didn't
have to bother with the snow and coat, he always
missed Christmas, and Christmas always seemed such a joyous time

(10:11):
of year. His three friends told him how wonderful it
was to celebrate the happy holiday. Oh, Froggy, you would
love it. Turkey, plum pudding, cany canes, lots of good
things to eat, said Mistress Pig, Candles, angels, and Christmas trees,
said Missy Cat, Yule logs, Christmas carols, and Santa Claus,

(10:32):
added Master Dog. So mister Frog decided to stay up
and celebrate Christmas too. He kept awake all through November.
By December first, mister Frog was busy making Christmas list,
playing a Christmas dinner menu, writing down as Christmas cards,
and thinking about how he would decorate his house with
holly and greens. And since mister Frog had never had

(10:54):
a Christmas before, he wanted everything to be absolutely perfect.
Mister Frog couldn't believe how exciting Christmas time was. But
after all his planning and list making, he was very tired.
Christmas is a lot of work, thought mister Frog. I
think I'll just take a tiny nap here on the
couch before I go to the store, he said. Mister

(11:19):
Frog had a nice long nap and it was just
what he needed for a busy day of shopping. But
when the church bells rang out de nom d non,
mister Frog jumped with a start. Goodness croaked mister Frog.
I hope I haven't overslept, but he had. There were
no turkeys left, no cranberries, no candy canes, no Christmas wreaths.

(11:42):
In fact, all the stores were closed. Mister Frog couldn't
even find a Christmas tree, and it was Christmas Eve,
Poor Froggy. Mister Frog couldn't believe yet missed Christmas again.
All of his hard work had been for nothing. Now
he had no Christmas dinner, no Christmas decorations, and no

(12:03):
Christmas tree. As he sat alone in his house, mister
Frog wondered this three best friends were celebrating Christmas. All
of a sudden, the door bell rang, dan a ling
and mister Frog went to Sue who was there? Ho
ho ho, Merry Christmas, said Santa Claus. Mister Frog was shocked.
Santa Claus had just arrived at his house with a

(12:26):
beautiful Christmas tree just for him. He invited Santa Claus
inside and was just about to say thank you when
the door bell rang again. Dane a ling ho ho ho,
Merry Christmas, said Santa Claus. Mister Frog couldn't believe his eyes.
There at the door was another Santa Claus with another

(12:48):
tree just for him. Mister Frog invited the second Santa
Claus in and was about to shut the door when
the bell rang again. Dan a ling ho ho oh hoo,
Merry Christmas, said Santa Claus. Mister Frog opened the door
and there was a third Santa Claus with a third

(13:08):
Christmas tree just for him. Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas,
mister Frog said to each Santa. And Surprise, surprise, surprise,
said Missy Cat, Master Dog and Mistress Pig, taking off
their Santa hats and beards. Mister Frog could not believe it.

(13:29):
The three mystery Santas were actually his three best friends
coming to wish him a merry Christmas. Let's hang up
our stockings, said Master Dog. Here's the plum pudding, said
Mistress Pig, and we four friends will be celebrating Christmas together,
said Missy Caat. This is the best Christmas ever, said

(13:52):
mister Frog as he gathered around his three friends and
his three Christmas trees, and all four friends began to
sing islent Night, Holy Night, all is calm and all
is bright, And because mister Frog was there this time,
it was indeed the best Christmas ever. Our next book

(14:13):
is called The Night Before Christmas and it was published
by Imagining Published in Corporation. This version is a copyright
of twenty ten and it was written by Clement C. Moore.
Twas the night before Christmas, went all through the house.

(14:37):
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The
stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes
the Saint Nicholas soon would be there. The children will
nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar
plums danced in their heads. And Mom and her kerchief,
and I, in my cap had just said that our

(14:59):
brain for a long winter snap went out on the lawn.
There arose such a clatter, A sprang from my bed
to see what was the matter. Away to the window.
I flew like a flash, tore open the shutters, and
threw up the sash. The moon was on the on
the breast of the new fall, and snow gave the

(15:19):
luster of midday. Two objects below. When what to my
wondering eyes should appear but a miniature sleigh, in ate
tiny reindeer, with the little old driver. So lively and
quick I knew in a moment it must be Saint Nick.
More rapid than eagles. His coursers they came, and he
whistled and shouted in all then and called them by name,

(15:44):
now dasher, now dancer, now praying sir now vixen on,
comet on, cupid on donner, and blisten to the top
of the porch, to the top of the wall. Now
dash away, dash away, dash away, all as dry leaves
before the wild heard can fly when they meet with
an obstacle. Mount to the sky. So up to the

(16:06):
housetop the coursers they flew with a sleigh full of toys,
and Saint Nicholas too. And then a twinkling I heard
on the roof, the prancing and pine of each little hoof.
As I drew in my hand and was turning around
down the chimney, Saint Nicholas came with a bound. He
was dressed on in fur from his head to his foot,

(16:28):
and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
and he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes, how they twinkled, His dimples, how merry, his
cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry. His
droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, and

(16:49):
the beer on his chin was as white as the snow.
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his
teeth and the smoke and encircled his head like a wreath.
He had a broad face and a little round belly
that shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right sholly odelf. And

(17:10):
I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself.
A wink of his eye and a twist of his
head soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his
work and filled all the stockings. Then turned with a jerk,
and laying his finger aside of his nose, and giving
a nod of the chimney, he rose. He sprang to

(17:33):
his slate, his teen, He gave a whistle, and away
they all flew like the down of a thistle. By
I heard him exclaim, he drove out of sight, merried
Christmas to all, and to all a good night. Our
next book is titled mape On and Willow's Christmas Tree,

(17:53):
and it is a Nancy Paulson book which is an
imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group, and it has a
kipy right year of twenty sixteen. The author is Lori
Nichols Maple and Willow loved winter. Winter brought snow and
also Christmas. Getting ready for Christmas hard work. Maple and

(18:17):
Willow didn't mind. This year, Maple and Willow were getting
a real Christmas tree. Choosing the right tree was the
hardest work of all. But when the work was done,
the girls were convinced their Christmas tree was the best
Christmas tree in the whole wide world. The tree just

(18:38):
fit inside their door. It's perfect, said Willow. I'm so
glad we got rid of our fake tree, and it's
my year to put the star on top. You look
like Rudolph, said Willow. Why is your nose so red?
Uh cut Maple sneezed all afternoon. Oh no, maybe you

(18:58):
are a lurgy to the Christmas tree, Willow said, I
hope not, Maple said, But when the girls went outside
to play, Maple stopped sneezing. Back inside the house, Maple
sneezing started all over again. She really was allergic to
the Christmas tree, so the tree could not stay inside.

(19:18):
At least we have an outside tree, said Maple. I
wish you weren't allergic to Christmas, said Willow. I'm not
allergic to Christmas, said Mabel just Christmas trees. While getting
ready for bed, Maple said, well, I'm sorry I run
you Christmas. I'm sorry you run Christmas too, said Willow.
That night, Willow couldn't fall asleep. Willow felt sad about

(19:42):
the Christmas tree. She felt even worse for hurting Maple's
feelings than Willow god an idea. Getting ready for idea
was hard work. Willow didn't mind. When all the work
was done, Willow decided to wake up Ale and show
her the big surprise. In There in the living room

(20:04):
stood the best Christmas tree ladder in the whole wide world.
It's perfect, said Maple. I know, said Willow, and she
handed Maple the star to place on top. Our next
story is titled Christmas Forever, Escape to the North Pole
and it was published by Random House. It has a

(20:26):
copyright year of twenty twenty four and the author of
our book is Elisa Dunton. There once was a group
of Christmas ornaments that all had different personalities. Mycroni was wacky,
Star was fancy, Twirrel was sporty, Frosty was chill, and

(20:47):
Odie was wise if a bit grumpy. But they shared
one thing in common. They loved Christmas. They loved Christmas
carols on repeat. They love stockings hung by the fire.
They love fancy bows. Most of all, they loved trimming
the tree with humans. There was just one huge problem.
Christmas only happened one day year. That meant there were

(21:10):
three hundred and sixty four days that were not Christmas.
The Ornaments waiting in a box all year long. It
was hot, it was smelly, it was endless. This year,
the Ornaments did not want to go back in the
smelly old box after Christmas. But what if they didn't
have to? What if they could go to the North
Pole where it could be Christmas forever? But how could

(21:33):
they get to the North Pole. The Ornaments didn't have
a car, they didn't have a plane, Macaroni, didn't even
have shoes. They did have each other, that was the
important thing. Maybe with a little teamwork they could pull
this off. Together. They made a brilliant plan. When Santa
came down the chimney, they sneak into a sleigh and

(21:53):
hitch a ride back to the North Pole. On Christmas
seve the Ornaments waded patiently for the family to go
to bed. The youngest took her time saying good night,
good night, Twirl, good night, Odie, good night Star, good night, Frosty,
good night Macaroni. I love you more than a million
cany canes. We love you too. Doesn't she have a bedtime?

(22:18):
Oh dear. They would miss the little human, They would
even miss the big humans, so they decide to leave
a note, Dear family, we love you more than a
million candy canes, but we are heading to the North Pole,
where it's Christmas forever. We will cherish our memories and
fun times. Love the Ornaments. The humans were all nestled
snug in their beds. Not a creature was stirring, well

(22:41):
except the Ornaments, who were on the move. There was
just one little problem, the cat. The Ornaments had met
the cat before, and they knew three things for sure.
One cats are naughty. Two they take joy in torturing
innocent ornaments. And three cats are very naughty. But there

(23:02):
was no time to spare now or never Christmas forever.
The journey was treacherous, it was terrifying, it was exhilarating.
They made it. The ornaments Christmas dreams were finally coming true.
But something was missing, Actually someone was missing. Where was

(23:22):
Star The ornaments had a tough decision to make save
their friend or eat Christmas cookies for breakfast all year long,
soaking a hot tubful of hot cocoa every night, open
presents every single morning. Oh boy, Christmas Forever sounded fun,
but it just wouldn't be the same without the friend.

(23:44):
Star were coming to save you. Luckily, the ornaments were
braver than they looked and scrappier. Crash, the humans woke
up to find the tree and ornaments scattered across the floor.
They jumped into action to help their ornament friends get
back on the tree where they belonged, And so Christmas

(24:06):
started earlier that year, very early. Not that anyone was complaining.
After all, Christmas Forever sounded pretty good, but being with
ones you love was sweeter than a million candy canes.
I still can't believe you came back for me. It
wouldn't be Christmas without you, Star. That is all we

(24:31):
have time for today, So it concludes our Children's Story
hour for now. Please join us next time as we
will read more stories, fables and fairy tales. Thank you
for listening, and please stay tuned for the Lexing Harald
Leader here on Radio I