And The Animals Speak At Midnight
The big dog lay underneath the piano, his head resting atop his furry white paws. From this vantage point he could keep an eye on the house and, more importantly, he could see if anyone neared the front door holding his lead in their hands. He wouldn’t mind a walk just now. It was appropriately cold for this day before Christmas and he’d even heard talk about snow.... perfect walking weather.
But mostly, he’d love a distraction to take him away from his thoughts, which had begun to veer off into worry. For in a few short hours, his moment would come. That once a year gift of magical speech would be his, indeed would be granted all animals, at least to those who were paying attention. And the big dog was worried. When one has such a gift at one’s disposal, one must take it seriously and choose one’s words with care.
So just what would he say? He wondered. And wondered. His furry black housemate never bothered with preparation for this momentous event. He seemed to remember that last year she had muttered something nonsensical about chipmunks and cheese and trotted off promptly to bed. To be sure, he considered that a severe waste of a rare opportunity and later he had told her so. But sometimes, privately, he had to admit he rather admired her nonchalance about the whole thing. Perhaps that was the point. Not to take it all so seriously. But somehow, he doubted it. Somehow, he thought the gift of speech on Christmas Eve was a wondrous occurrence that each and every animal should greatly respect with appropriate contemplation and planning. He was certain the Lions had been ready for days. And without a doubt the Elephants, with their proficient memories, would recite whole passages of something divine. He had to think of something wonderful, and he had to do it fast.
So here he lay. Underneath the piano with his head on his paws. Thinking. He considered uttering a prayer for the Polar Bears, as he’d heard the lady do many times before. He thought about reciting a line from Dylan Thomas, or Carroll. He did love the Jabberwocky, after all. But no, that just didn’t fit. From hours spent alongside The Songwriter, he knew every Beatles song by heart. Perhaps he could quote from one of those. No, no, somehow Ob La Di, Ob La Da, although fun to hum on an ordinary day, just wouldn’t work for this one nights of nights. He sighed.
Just at that moment, the big dog heard the lady call out his name. His ears perked up and his tail began spinning. Grateful for the distraction from his circling thoughts, he sprang out from under the piano and trotted into the kitchen. The lady stood there, bundled up in all those wooly things that take the place of fur, with his lead held loosely in her hand. He glanced around the room, sniffing the holiday smells in the air. His brown eyes took in all the flowers on the tables, the Christmas cards in a stack by the door. His black nose twitched at the roast chicken now cooling on the counter, and he could smell winter in the scent of the fir trees that were dressed up and shining in many rooms of the house. Along with the tick tock of the clock by the fireside, he could hear the soft sounds of carols and bells. And suddenly, just before the lady opened the front door for his walk in the cold, it hit him. The big white dog knew just what he would say when that clock by the fireplace struck twelve.
Just two words, but true ones.
Two words he’d often heard uttered this time of the year, two words that summed up his deepest heart song.
He said them over and over in his head as he went down the front stairs.
He smiled.
He was ready. He knew just what to say....
“Comfort and Joy”
“Comfort and Joy”
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Edward and I thank you for reading and we wish you all Comfort and Joy this Christmas.
May all your dreams come true.
Wishing you and the songwriter and Edward and Apple the very same! And comfort and joy!
ReplyDeleteYou have enriched my life! Thank you for this!
xoxo Victoria
Merry Christmas Pamela to you and all your loved ones.. May it be merry and bright!! xxx Julie
ReplyDeleteHello Pamela
ReplyDeleteI wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!!
Best
Tracy :)
Comfort and joy...so apt.It is just what you and your furry accomplice give MEeach time you strike the keyboard with your art!
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas...may it be full of comfort and joy!
Edward is a very wise dog! We wish you the same with lots of love and laughter in your day xo J
ReplyDeleteA perfect composition, Pamela. How true the pure gifts of our furry friends, comfort & joy, each moment of the year. Each Christmas eve, I am blessed with a an unusual animal experience. Last year it was a pair of Raccoons just past midnight, standing on their hind legs at the kitchen door, though no scraps were there; Honey watched silently while I tossed leftover shrimp to them out the dutch door. Perhaps a cause de l'eclipse, last night I discovered M. et Mme. Lapin have created the tiniest group of babies under part of the house, accessible through a round terra cotta tile. I happened to see them by flashlight and under the hooting of an owl. It's a magical & wondrous time!
ReplyDeleteWhy, thank you, Pamela, and you, Edward. I wish you the same.
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos Pamela! Wishing you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and creative New Year.
ReplyDeleteKate :-)
Merry christmas to you all!
ReplyDeleteEloise (Jack Russell Terrier) and I wish you and Edward and all of your loved ones the happiest of Christmas times and a wonderful New Year.
ReplyDeleteWise and welcome words. I wish the same to all of you. Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteDear Pamela, have a wonderful Christmas.
ReplyDeleteI love your pictures. Your house looks like something from a perfect Christmas card. Sending love from London. Christina xx
I love your blog
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and Edward and your family.
God's most richest blessings
Love Jeanne
And to you, Pamela, and all your dear ones, a joyful Christmas from me and from Charles.
ReplyDeleteThe Little Drummer Boy is my most favorite Christmas movie and tale...the animals spoke, they knew, and they were thankful.
ReplyDeleteThank you for such a lovely, lovely look inside of Edward's thoughtful heart, it was the perfect thing to read this Christmas Eve morning...
Merry Christmas...
xo J~
You are such a dear.
ReplyDeleteThanks to Edward, and you, for the Christmas wish -- and allow me to return it to you!
p.s. Received your lovely card today. How clever to you to arrange matters so!
I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!!
ReplyDeleteWonderful photos !!! Ag
Wishing you all at the House of Edward a peaceful and joyous Christmas:)
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas.... Always a treat to read your pretty words..
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas to you and Dear Edward.
ReplyDeleteisonBeautiful new Christmas story. I wonder what our little cat is saying. Perhaps "God bless us,everyone".
ReplyDeleteMuch comfort and joy to you too, Pamela, and may you and Edward remain so richly eloquent.
ReplyDeleteWishing a merry Christmas to the House of Edward and all its charms. Thank you for this precious story.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas! These wonderful words reminded me of the living nativity we passed on the way home from church last night. We stopped for a little visit with the camel, the sheep, the donkey, the rabbit. I wonder what they said at midnight? Probably the same thing.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a wonderful Christmas time, Pamela.
ReplyDeleteAnd the Spirit of Muffin wishes Edward & Apple the same. :)
Merry Christmas Pamela.
ReplyDeleteI knew the pups would have something wise to add to Christmas!
May 2011 be filled with Happiness, Health, Comfort, and Joy!
xo
Brooke
Edward looks like a big Lucy when she needs a haircut! Thanks for stopping by the lake...Merry Christmas to you both from the two of us!
ReplyDeleteI wish you and your family the same ! All the good things in life.
ReplyDeletexo
Anci
How wonderful! Wishing you a wonderful day after Christmas, we have been blanketed by snow, Edward's tootsies must have evidence of clumps of snow! Stay Warm, looking forward to good things and good days ahead.
ReplyDeleteWhat a marvelous post..you write SO VERY WELL my dear..I read every post with joy..Loved the pictures too...I'm a little late for the Christmas wish, but I will make a toast to you and Edward on New Years Eve..Hope to visit you may times more in 2011..Big Hug from all of us..T D and Company.
ReplyDeletehappy christmas to you and yours pamela...and a very wonderful new year...xx
ReplyDeleteI so enjoy reading your work. With your beautiful words and a cup of tea, I have a most enjoyable afternoon. Thank you! Ana
ReplyDeleteoh lovely story, Edward is so wise, knowing just what to say!
ReplyDeleteHope you had a wonderful Christmas and best wishes for 2011