We had a cat called Pepper that loved to curl up by my daughter as a young
child when she slept, I know she kept her warm and loved in mid-winter.
She became the inspiration for this story.
This makes a beautiful Christmas puppet show! You can
simplify it for a solo show too.
child when she slept, I know she kept her warm and loved in mid-winter.
She became the inspiration for this story.
This makes a beautiful Christmas puppet show! You can
simplify it for a solo show too.
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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