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Trouble at the Inn

I was teaching a Grade 2 class in London, Ontario, Canada, and was asked to produce a Christmas pageant. Some people thought what happened ruined it, while others considered it the truest Christmas story they had ever seen. You be the judge.

After much thought and tact, I gave out the various parts for the pageant. One problem was Ralph. He was a big boy for nine years old and should have been in Grade 4. Besides being big, he was clumsy, slow-moving, and slow-thinking.

He was well liked by all the children, especially the younger ones -- he acted as their natural protector.

Ralph wanted to be a shepherd with a flute. I told him I had a more important role for him. As the innkeeper, I reasoned, he would not have too many lines to remember. His size would make his refusal of lodging to Joseph more impressive.

We practiced and practiced, each child feeling his importance to the success of the evening. The auditorium filled with family and friends for the yearly school extravaganza of a stage filled with exuberant children.

But no one in the audience or on the stage was more caught up in the magic of that night than Ralph.

The play progressed without any major mishaps until Joseph appeared, walking slowly, tenderly helping Mary to the door of the inn. He knocked hard on the wooden door. Ralph was ready and waiting.

"What do you want?" he cried, pushing the door open with a rude gesture.

"We are looking for lodgings."

"Look for them elsewhere." Ralph looked straight ahead, but he spoke with conviction. "The inn is full."

"Kind sir, we have asked everywhere in vain. We have traveled far and are very weary."

"There is no room for you."

"Please, good innkeeper, this is my wife, Mary. She is heavy with child and must find a place to rest for the night. Surely you must have some small corner for her. She is so tired."

Ralph looked down at Mary. There was a long pause. The audience became tense with embarrassment.

"No, begone!" I coached.

Ralph just stood there.

Three times I prompted him from the wings, each time louder than the last. The angels backstage with me were becoming anxious, too. At last, Ralph automatically repeated the words he had learned in those long weeks of practice:

"No, begone!"

Joseph sadly placed his arm around Mary and started to turn away.

The innkeeper did not return to his inn as directed. He stood there watching the forlorn couple, looking perplexed, with his mouth opened, his brow creased with concern, his eyes filled with tears.

Suddenly, this Christmas pageant became different from all the rest.

"Don't go, Joseph. Please don't go," Ralph called. "Bring Mary back."

His face brightened with a big smile. He stretched out his arms.

"You can have my room."

And my eyes filled with tears. The glory of God shone about them, and in only a moment, the choir of angels entered caroling their Christmas song.

Home Abrev. Advice. Camera. Character. Children. Computing. Electronics.  Fitness/Martial Arts. Garden. Health.  Idioms. Jokes.

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School Education. Skills. Stories. Tips. Tools. Words/Accronyms. Woodwork.