The Christmas Mice

A Christmas guest post by JoAnne Hensley-Dean

JoAnne Hensley-Dean is a warm and giving individual with a soul and heart as big as the sky. I have been blessed to reconnect with her after many years and what has been, for both of us, different lifestyle choices. She is one of those individuals with whom you can pick up on conversations without losing a heartbeat. I am blessed to call her my friend.

She has related that the story of the Christmas Mice came about as a result of her love for her husband. He grew up in rural Virginia in an old farmhouse where there wasn’t much money but there was a lot of love within the family. Every year at Christmas, he and his brothers and sisters were so happy to get their only gift — a shoebox filled with an orange and some candy.

JoAnne had already written a few stories for children, but this one she wrote for her husband as a Christmas gift to him and to all of his siblings as a remembrance that it isn’t necessarily what one receives as a gift but the love with which it has been given.

Porch Stories and Reading Nooks is delighted to be sharing JoAnne’s original story this Christmas. The sharing of stories, and of memories that are fading with time, has always been the intention of the porch as we come together in a welcoming atmosphere of commonality of this thing called life.

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The big, old farmhouse sat on a hillside in a valley called Peaceful Harmony. It was really quite charming, especially when the snow covered the ground and the nights were bright with twinkling stars.

Inside the house was a big potbelly stove for warmth and a dining room with a big picture window. The living room was warm and inviting; and if the walls could talk, they would tell you of lots of laughter, love and peaceful moments that had been spent there.

Next to the staircase and in a corner, was a tiny, mouse hole where Ode and his siblings had lived in the old house since he was a tiny mouse-kin. It was so cozy and warm and he loved the family who lived there. But to their surprise, the family had moved out over a month ago. Now for Ode, Patti, Maddie, Dougie and Little Pint, the old farmhouse was quiet and all the good times seemed so far away. The house offered no laugher, no music or anything good to eat. In the past, delicious scraps of food drifted throughout the house and could easily be found under the dining room table. But now, Ode and his family were cold and grew more hungry with each new day. Christmas was coming and what could Ode do?

A couple of days before Christmas, Dougie heard a noise outside the mousehold door. He quickly ran to get Ode, and what a surprise they saw! They watched as two men carried in a sofa and sat it down across from their mouse hole. A big chair came in next and then a small boy sat in it, pushed a stick on the side of the chair and BAM! the chair popped back like a bed!

“What is that noise!?” Maddie cried as she came running out of the mouse hole.

They watched as children ran around excitedly making lots of noise. They shouted over and over again, “We are gonna love our new home!”

Ode, Patti, Maddie, Dougie and Little Pint were so happy to see a new family move in. Patti said, “Now there will be plenty of food”.

Dougie exclaimed, “The mousehold will be warm again!

“It will be just like the good old days.” Ode said as a big smile came over their faces as they headed back into their home.

As the moon came up that night and the old farmhouse darkened, you could see a very small light begin to illuminate from within the mousehold. Softly, Ode and his family put their little paws together bowed their heads and you could hear the name of God being praised inside their home.

The following morning, their mousehold was warm as heavenly smells of wonderful things baking and cooking drifted into their home. It was Christmas Eve and their new family was preparing for the birth of Jesus and the Christmas celebration.

That afternoon a much different smell, a fresh, outdoors kind of a smell, drifted into the mouse hole; for there in the living room sat a huge Christmas tree with colored lights and tinsel all around it. A beautiful gold star sat upon the top branch.

Later that day, a special dinner was placed on the dining room table. All of the family gathered and gave thanks to God for the food and for the love they shared together. After the dinner, a small table was set up with figures of Mary and Joseph, and a baby Jesus was laid in the manger; and then, after singing “O Little Town of Bethlehem”, the children hung up their stockings and went to bed.

Ode and his siblings quietly came out of the mouse hole and looked around. What complete amazement as they watched a small train run around the bottom of the huge tree. The engine had a tiny whistle and several cars followed; but at the end was a black and red caboose with Santa painted on the side. Little Pint was so excited he said, “Let’s have a celebration too.”

Patti ran back into their home and came out with a strand of beads and Maddie held a small gold paper star. Dougie placed the strand of beads around a very small tree they had found sitting next to the train. Ode put the shiny gold paper star on top of the tree and as they stood around the tree, they sang “Silent Night”.

Now they had their very own Christmas tree! Ode and the boys gathered scraps of food under the table. There was plenty

for all, bread, cheese and cake made a delicious meal. After eating, Ode smiled and suggested they celebrate and take a ride on the train. All the mice cheered and ran for the train. Maddie sat in the engine and Little Pint took charge of the red caboose.

“We have had the best Christmas ever and to bed we shall go.” Ode finally said.

Later that night snow fell gently and the brightest star of all shown over the old farm house.

On Christmas morning the family came excitedly down the stairs. They all stopped suddenly as they saw the tiny Christmas tree with decorations. Small crumbs were scattered around and tiny paw prints led to the tiny train. Dad smiled and said, “Looks like someone else enjoyed our Christmas too. I believe we have our very own Christmas mice!”

Deep inside the mousehold, Ode and his family listened to the children as they sang praise to God. The mice thought of last night’s Christmas blessing and the many more Christmases to come. Then they took hands and with bent heads gave God all the Glory.

Watercolor illustrations by Cyndy Chisare