Masha the Christmas Cat

Long ago in a land far away from here, it was a cold winter's

night. The sky above the little village was clear and bright, with

stars shining so brightly on the twinkling snow, that the night was

as bright as day. A chilly cat scampered into a small barn which

was open to the weather on one side. It was cold in the barn too,

so Masha the cat curled up in the hay near the strong and very

large ox. His name was Bior, and he was always kind to the small

cat, happy to share his big warmth. Masha liked living

there. Birds lived in the rafters, and the Innkeeper who owned

the little barn looked after the animals well.

It was a quiet life until one night a man called Joseph, and Mary,

a woman riding a donkey, came to spend the night. Though it was

cold outside, most of the winter wind was kept out of the

barn. Masha could see that the woman was going to have a baby

soon, and she seemed tired from her travels. She led her donkey

to the straw near Bior the ox. Then the kind Mary called

to Masha, and patted her fur gently. 'My, little cat, you have a

nice warm winter coat,' and she pulled her own cloak closer

around her. Joseph made a small fire to keep them warm and give

them light. Masha came closer to the fire, it was so warm and

cozy. She curled up and fell fast asleep. 'Purr, purrr.' she softly

sang while she was sleeping.

The night was still and clear and a fine bright star, bigger and

more brilliant than all the other stars shone in the sky above the

little barn.

 

 In the middle of the night, Masha was awakened. A baby was

crying in Mary's arms. Joseph was making a cradle out of

straw. Mary had wrapped up the new baby in soft cloth, but when

Mary put him in the straw cradle, he cried louder from the

cold. Masha looked at the baby. He was beautiful! Masha

climbed into the straw and curled her soft warm fur around the

baby's feet and legs. Before you knew it the baby stopped crying

and fell asleep. His cheeks became rosy and sweet. Mary patted

the cat and said, 'thank you dear cat for the gift of warmth on

this cold night. Babies need to be warm'! Masha licked her paws,

and fell asleep again, as soundly as the baby.

A little later Masha woke up again. The little barn was full of

people! Shepherds had come to visit, they had traveled far to

see this child. Masha heard them say, 'this is the child who will

become the King of all Mankind'. They had brought sheep milk

and wool for the child. There was now a golden glow in the barn,

and the shepherd's faces were full of wonder. They patted

Masha too, saying 'what a good friend to the little child the cat

is, keeping him so warm'! Before Masha fell asleep again she

heard, in the distance, a beautiful heavenly song.....'

Halleluiah,

Halleluiah.’

One more time in the night Masha was awakened. Now the barn

was filled with three Kings in fine clothes. They were kneeling by

the child, their eyes teary with gladness as they gazed upon

him. They too had brought gifts of gold, incense, and

myrrh. Their faces looked at the child with love and wisdom. 'Oh

now little cat,' one King said, 'you are indeed a special cat to be

warming this child. We thank you, the world thanks you!’ Masha

liked all the kind words and soft pats on her fur. She stretched

out her paw and put it by the baby's hand. Yes, the hand was

warm. Masha fell asleep again.

 

 In the morning the winter sun was shining into the barn. Masha

got up and stretched. Had she been dreaming? The barn was

empty of visitors. All that remained of the baby, Mary, Joseph,

the donkey, the shepherds and kings was the straw

cradle! Masha ran out in the yard. Look, there on the path,

there was Mary riding the donkey, holding her child now wrapped

warmly with the wool from the shepherds. Joseph walked beside

them.

'Meow, meow,’ called out Masha.

Mary and Joseph stopped and turned. 'Goodbye little cat,’ they

called and waved. 'Thank you again for your gift of warmth!’

'Meow, meow,’ answered Masha, watching them go on their

journey.

Winter passed quietly after that, and when spring came to the

land Masha curled up once again on the straw cradle in the little

barn. She was keeping more babies warm now. Three little

kittens snuggled under mama Masha, safe and sound. Bior the ox

chewed his straw and I am sure he was smiling.

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