by
Alison
nce, in a land far from here, in a cold icy country called Russia, there lived an old witch-woman named Babushka. Babushka lived in a small house just outside a tiny village. She lived alone, knowing no one, away from the community of people inside the village. Babushka was a lonely woman, who knew little of the world around her and was isolated by all who knew of her. People feared her witch powers, afraid that she might curse them, or their children. But Babushka was not a cruel woman. She was only lonely, and sad.
On a frosty, snowy night, Babushka was huddled in a blanket on a chair, gazing silently at a spot where a fire might have stood. From in the village she could hear people dancing, singing, their lives happy and cheerful. Babushka had never known what it was like to be loved but that never made her bitter. She was a good woman, who had longed to be a part of the town community, who had longed to hug the little village children, who had longed to dance and sing with the adults. Outside, she could see people carrying wood under their arms, to build a fireplace where they would be warm and happy.
Suddenly, Babushka heard a knock on her door. Babushka never had visitors, and she thought it was a village child, teasing her and playing a joke as they sometimes did. She left her old wooden chair and opened the door. Before her stood three men, dressed in riches like she had never seen before, each carrying gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
"Good men", she said, "What brings you here?"
"A star that shines so bright" said they, "For tonight, the Christ-child is born, and we bear gifts for him. But we are not dressed fit to face the cruel winter storm. Please, will you spare us a room".Kind hearted Babushka gave them shelter in her little house that night and when the weather had cleared that morning, the three wise men left. "Where are you going?", she asked them, "Where lies this babe of which you speak?".
"We are following a star" said they, " to lead us to the King of Kings". Then the three wise men rode off, with their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh carried on their backs."Gold, frankincense and myrrh.........." thought Babushka, "What good will that be to a new born, even one who shall be the King of Kings. I will go too, and follow the star. I will bring him a gift too, one that he will appreciate in his innocence".
So Babushka worked hard all day and into the night to make fine toys for the baby. She filled her stockings with presents of wooden dolls, balls, bells and other toys for him. Night had alraedy fallen when Babushka began her journey and she searched the sky for the same star that guided the three men. But in the black winter sky, there was not a star to be seen.
Babushka walked from door to door in the village, asking people if they had seen the star or if they knew of a babe being born in a lowly stable. But when people saw Babushka coming, they quickly shut their windows and doors. The night grew longer and colder and finally Babushka gave up finding the Christ-child. She looked through the window of the house she was passing and saw two little children asleep in their beds. Then Babushka realised she could share the gifts for the baby with all the village children. That night, she emptied her stocking of gifts, leaving one at each house where a child lived.
And though Babushka died, of course, many years ago, some stay they still are visited by her. Babushka, the generous witch woman, still lives in the hearts of women today. And every year, on Christmas, children get stockings full of presents..........gifts, they say, from Babushka - the Russian Santa Claus.
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