Folklore: Fav Xmas stories-Golden Cobwebs,etc.

Subject: Fav. Xmas stories-Golden Cobwebs & more
From: katlaughing
Date: 12 Dec 99 - 12:40 PM

For Aine and anyone else who is interested, here is the story my grandma always read to us at Chritsmastime, then my mom, then I read it to my kids, and am now making a tpae for my grandsons.

It is from a precious book my grandma used as a schoolteacher in the early 1900's, called How to tell stories to children by Sara Cone Bryant. Last time I was at www.bibliofind. com, they had several editions and copies available. I can't remember, but I think a version fo this may have a fairly recent copyright. The book I am quoting the story from was published in 1905. My grandmas gave me her copy when I was only 8 years old and it has remained a treasured possession.

It has many favourite stories in it, including Why the Sea is Salt; Billy Beg and his Bull; Raggylug;The Story of Wylie; and, Fulfilled: A Legend of Christmas, as well as many others.

I can still hear my grandma's voice, holding us spellbound as she read this with great Victorian drama and authority. Here, then, is

The Golden Cobwebs: A story to tell by the Christmas tree

Author's note: This story was told me in the mother-tongue of a German friend, at the kindly instance of a common friend of both; the narrator had heard it at home from the lips of a father of story-loving children for whom he often invented such little tales. The present adaptation has passed by hearsay through so many minds that it is perhaps little like the original, but I venture to hope it has a touch of the original fancy, at least.

I am going to tell you a story about a something that happened to a Christmas tree like this; ever and ever so long ago, when it was once upon a time.

It was before Christmas, and the tree was all trimmed with pop-corn (sic) and silver nuts and (name the trimmings of the tree before you), and stood safely out of sight in a room where the doors were locked, so that the children should not see it before it was time. But ever so many other little house-people had seen it. The big black pussy saw it with her great green eyes; the little gray kitty saw it with her little blue eyes; the kind house dog saw it with his steady brown eyes; the yellow canary saw it with his wise, bright eyes, Even the wee, wee mice that were so afraid of the cat had peeped one peek when no one was by.

But there was some one who hadn't see the Christmas tree. It was the little gray spider!

You see, the spiders lived in the corners -- the corners of the sunny attic and the dark corners of the nice cellar. And they were expecting to see the Christmas Tree as much as anybody. But just before Christmas a great cleaning-up began in the house. The house-mother came sweeping and dusting and wiping and scrubbing, to make everything grand and clean for the Christ-child's birthday. Her broom went into all the corners, poke, poke -- and of course the spiders had to run. Dear, dear, HOW the spiders had to run! Not one could stay in the house while the Christmas cleanness lasted. So, you see, they couldn't see the Christmas Tree.

Spiders like to know all about everything, and see all there is to see, and they were very sad. So at last they went to the Christ-child and told him all about it.

"All the others see the Christmas Tree, dear Christ-child," they said; "but we, who are so domestic and so fond of beautiful things, we are cleaned UP! We cannot see it, at all."

The Christ-child was sorry for the little spiders when he heard this, and he said they should see the Christmas Tree.

The day before Christmas, when nobody was noticing, he let them all go in, to look as long as ever they liked.

They came creepy, creepy, down the attic stairs, creepy, creepy, up the cellar stairs, creepy, creepy, along the halls, -- and into the beautiful room. The fat mother spiders and the old papa spiders were there, and all the little teenty, tonty, curly spiders, the baby ones. And then they looked! Round and round the tree they crawled, and looked and looked. Oh, what a good time they had! They thought it was perfectly beautiful. And when they had looked at everything they could see from the floor they started up the tree to see more. All over the tree they ran, creepy, crawly, looking at every single thing. Up and down, in and out, over every branch and twig, the little spiders ran, and saw every one of the pretty things up close.

They stayed till they had seen all there was to see, you may sure, and then they went away at last quite happy.

Then, in the still, dark night before Christmas Day, the dear Christ-child came, to bless the tree for the children. But when he looked at it --what do you suppose? -- it was covered with cobwebs! Everywhere the little spiders had been they had left a spider-web; and you know they had been just everywhere. So the tree was covered from its trunk to its tip with spider-webs, all hanging from the branches and looped around the twigs; it was a strange sight.

What could the Christ-child do? He knew house-mothers do not like cobwebs; it would never, never do to have a Christmas Tree covered with those. No, indeed.

So the dear Christ-child touched the spiders' webs and turned them all to gold! Wasn't that a lovely trimming? They shone and shone, all over the beautiful tree. And that is the way the Christmas Tress came to have golden cobwebs on it.

Subject: RE: Fav. Xmas stories-Golden Cobwebs & more
From: katlaughing
Date: 12 Dec 99 - 12:42 PM

Sorry for the double threads. Max or Joe, please remove one of these. Thanks very much. kat

Subject: RE: Fav. Xmas stories-Golden Cobwebs & more
From: Áine
Date: 12 Dec 99 - 12:48 PM

That is a beautiful, beautiful, story, Miz Kat. I can't wait to tell it beside our tree! Thank you so very much for sharing that with all us 'Catters and our families. You're a treasure.

-- Áine

Subject: RE: Fav. Xmas stories-Golden Cobwebs & more
From: Áine
Date: 12 Dec 99 - 01:02 PM

Here's a story that my mother used to tell my sister and I at Christmas time. If you'd like to read it in Irish, click here. I hope you enjoy it.

The Box of Gold

There was a man in a big city and he had a very important job. He was rich and greatly respected. Christmas Day was coming soon, but the man was too busy to notice. Bright lights were put up all through the city and carols were sung in the streets and in the shops. In the shop windows were toys and new clothes and a lot of other things, but they didn't affect him in the least.

This man had one child - a little boy about six years old. The boy was very excited about the holidays. He loved to help his mother put decorations up in the house and to wrap presents.

His father came home on Christmas Eve tired and cross from the great amount of work he had done. He noticed that his son was fussing with one of the presents under the Christmas tree, a little box wrapped in golden paper. At the top of his voice, he told his son not to mess with that present. The boy stopped and a bright tear fell from his eye as he looked sorrowfully at his father.

The next morning, Christmas Day, the family opened the presents. Finally, there was only one present left under the Christmas tree. The boy picked it up and gave it to his father. It was the little golden box.

The man looked at the bright box. "What's this, love?," he asked his son.

A box full of kisses and hugs for you, Daddy," said his son, putting his hand in his father's hand.

From that day to this, a little golden box sits on the man's desk, reminding him of the most important thing in the world.

Love.

Subject: RE: Fav. Xmas stories-Golden Cobwebs & more
From: katlaughing
Date: 12 Dec 99 - 01:36 PM

Oh, Aine, that makes me cry! Beautiful, thanks for sharing it!

luvyaKat

Subject: RE: Fav. Xmas stories-Golden Cobwebs & more
From: Áine
Date: 13 Dec 99 - 10:19 AM

Come on guys and gals! Tell us your favorite Christmas or holiday season story -- there's some really good ones out there in the 'Cat -- I just know it!

-- Áine

Subject: RE: Fav. Xmas stories-Golden Cobwebs & more
From: stupidbodhranplayerwhodoesn'tknowanybetter
Date: 13 Dec 99 - 07:37 PM

My favorite Christmas story (spelled without an X) isthe tale of the 4th Magi. I heard a very bare bones version, and filled in as best I could so if you have a better version or the original I'd love to hear it. : Behold the Christmas tree with its star, its tinsel, lights, ornaments, candy canes, Lionel train, and most importantly the Nativity. Now see the baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, the shepards, and the 3 Magi, for indeed the 4th never made it, or so he thought. His name was Simon and he carried as his gift, 3 precious gems. A ruby as red as the 1st robin of spring. A pearl as black as midnight in the deepest diamond mine in Africa. And the most perfectly shaped diamond to come from that very mine! Simon was on his way to meet with the other 3 when he came upon a wagon train that had been waylaid by bandits, its cargo gone, its passengers beaten and left for dead. Now the Magi were healers by nature, but Simon had nothing to offer. No medicine. No food. Not so much as an extra blanket. His gifts for the coming King had exausted everything he had. And surely to give up the Baby Jesus' gifts would be unthinkable. He was reluctantly passing the poor travelers by when a voice that seemed to come from everywhere and yet nowhere at all, told him "You know what you have to do." Well, this scared Simon because being a healer he had seen people that heard voices that no one else seemed to hear and knew the way they were treated. And yet it made sense. He went back to town and sold the ruby. It yielded enough money to buy medicne to heal the victims of their injuries, feed them, and repair their wagons. Unfortunately, this set him so far behind schedule that he missed his compatriots, and worse still, they were to arrange passage for the four of them. Well he set out walking towards the Star, when presently he came upon a colony of lepers. Once again a voice that seemed to almost come from within, assured him that he had to put these poor souls first, and so he sold the pearl for just enough to buy enough tannis leaf to heal the lepers and make them whole. Well this took a long time and also took a lot out of him. Many seasons passed before he could resume his journey, and when he finally reached Bethlehem, the Baby Jesus was gone! Alas, he would have given up then but for the tales of a healer the likes of which he and his fellows could only dream of being. He started to follow these stories, but always reached this town or that town, only to hear that He was here last month, last week, or even yesterday but he left and headed over the hills, across the sea, east, west, north, south. Simon was always just short of fulfilling his quest. One year turned to two. Two turned to ten to finally, thirty. Finally SImon found himself in Calvary, when he felt a tugging at the pouch he had carried all these years. It was gone! He turned and saw the thief running away. He gave chase but he couldn't catchhim. Finally he picked up a large stone and took aim at the back of the thief's head. He wound up and...... was just about to let go when he heard a voice, a voice he heard just twice before whisper "Let him go." SImon stood there, a broken man. Not only had he lost all three of his gifts for the King, but here he was , a healer, about to commit murder! He dropped the stone and burst into tears. If only he knew what to do next! His prayer was answered soon enough when he heard a cry. It was his calling to heal the sick and injured, and surely this was God giving him a sign. Well he got to where the cry came from and was devastated to see it was three men on crosses. The law forbid him to help. He was about to turn when he saw the inscription "King of the Jews" over the cross in the middle. Over thirty years he had searched and now, to just miss him one last time. He was about to turn and leave, when he heard a voice. A voice he had heard just three times before,and as clear as a bell it told him " My dear brother, you haven't missed me. You've been with me all my life." To Kat and Aine. thanks for starting this thread. I haven't thoight of this story in ages. Rich

Subject: RE: Fav. Xmas stories-Golden Cobwebs & more
From: Áine
Date: 13 Dec 99 - 07:49 PM

Oh Rich, that is a very moving story. I'll admit it, I was moved to tears. Thank you so much for sharing that with all of us. It is a tale to remember and worthy of being retold again and again. Thank you.

-- Áine

Subject: RE: Fav. Xmas stories-Golden Cobwebs & more
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Dec 99 - 08:25 PM

That is beautiful, Rich, thank you so much. Sounds like you ought to be sharing that with some more folks, if you're just dustin' it off after a number of years.**BG**

Please know I meant no offense by using the Xmas in the title of the thread, I just needed the room for whta I wanted to call it.

I have a wonderful book, downstairs at the moment, which is about the Magi. I think it is way too long to post, but I will post the title of it later tonight. It is a good read.

katlaughing

Subject: RE: Fav. Xmas stories-Golden Cobwebs & more
From: Bert
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 03:27 PM

It was a few years ago now, the Christmas of 1988. We didn't usually put up many decorations for just the two of us, but that year Lou's family were coming. So a few days before Christmas we went up to the cabin to cut a tree and get some juniper for decorations. There were always trees that needed thinning out.

With my heavy boots on and my saw over my shoulder I set off up the valley. As I crossed the valley, through a grove of young aspen, I saw a nest in the topmost twigs of an aspen sapling. I carried on without thinking too much about it at the time and found an Englemann spruce that was just about the right size.

It was being dominated by a huge Douglas fir. It wasn't going to survive anway, so it was alright to cut it down. It wasn't too big so I was able to carry it easily.

On my way back I got to thinking about that the nest that I had seen on my way across the valley, it would make a nice Christmas tree ornament. I traced my footsteps so that I wouldn't miss it. It was higher than I thought but the branches near the top were really just twigs. So I was able to cut it down easily, still attached to it's little twig.

I was expecting it to be empty, so I was rather surprised when I found that it contained an egg; and curled around the egg was the skeleton of a tiny bird. It wasn't a fun decoration any longer; it was a very sad little package that I was holding.

I guess that the bird's mate had met with some disaster and rather than leave the egg unprotected the remaining bird had starved to death. They had built their little nest well. It had protected it's sad little burden through the hailstorms of July, through the heat of August, through the winds of fall and the storms of winter. Carrying a message, and an example of love and self sacrifice, to this season of goodwill.

Subject: RE: Fav. Xmas stories-Golden Cobwebs & more
From: Blackcat2
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 03:41 PM

talk about the "ultimate" wren! - certainly a proper reason to go door-to-door for a funeral & wake collection!

Subject: RE: Fav. Xmas stories-Golden Cobwebs & more
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Dec 99 - 04:05 PM

Oh, Bert, that is so poignant and sad; a very good message for the season. Thank you for sharing it.

luvyaKat

Subject: RE: Fav. Xmas stories-Golden Cobwebs & more
From: Áine
Date: 15 Dec 99 - 01:57 PM

Great story with a great lesson, Bert! Thanks for telling it to us.

Who's next to give us a Christmas tale?

-- Áine

Subject: RE: Fav. Xmas stories-Golden Cobwebs & more
From: MMario
Date: 15 Dec 99 - 02:12 PM

I'm LOOKING for a tale I saw out on the web a few years ago....it deals with the WIVES of the Three Wisemen. But rather then giving "treasures which can be stored up on Earth" they gave virtues....like the fairies in Disney's Sleeping Beauty....

Anyway - as I recall it was very well done, especially the parts where the wives are comparing husbands, and later when they talk with Mary...

Subject: RE: Fav. Xmas stories-Golden Cobwebs & more
From: Áine
Date: 17 Dec 99 - 09:46 PM

Here's a story that I received via email from a good friend this evening. It really meant a lot to me, and I hope it does to you all. It explains how feel about all of my friends here at the Mudcat.

-- Áine

With Angels - Things Aren'et Always What They Seem

Two traveling angels-in-disguise stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family. The family was very rude, and refused to let them stay in the mansion's guest room. Instead, the angels were given a small space in the cold basement. As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall, and immediated sealed it up so you couldn't tell there had ever been a hole at all. When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied, "Things aren't always what they seem."

The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but hospitable, farmer and his wife. After sharing what little food they had, the couple let the angels sleep in their bed, so they could have a good night's rest. When the sun came up the next morning, the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears. Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field.

The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel, "How could you have let this happen? The first man had everything, yet you helped him. The second family had little, but was willing to share everything, and yet, you let their cow die."

"Things aren't always what they seem," the older angel replied. "When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was a horde of gold hidden in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn't find it. Then last night, as we slept in the farmers bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I persuaded him to take their cow instead. Things aren't always what they seem. Sometimes that is exactly what happens when things don't turn out the way we think they should. If you have faith, you just need to trust that the outcome is always to our ultimate advantage. You might not know the reason until some time later."

Most people come into our lives and quickly go. But some few become friends and stay awhile, leaving beautiful, silent footprints on our hearts, and we are never quite the same; although we may not realize how they have affected our lives.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Subject: RE: Fav. Xmas stories-Golden Cobwebs & more
From: Áine
Date: 19 Dec 99 - 04:42 PM

Here's one that I got in the email today. I personally think this is pretty funny, especially after working for attorneys for 20 years:

'Twas the Night Before Christmas (as written by a lawyer)

Whereas, on or about the night prior to Christmas, there did occur at a certain improved piece of real property (hereinafter "the House") a general lack of stirring by all creatures therein, including, but not limited to, a mouse.

A variety of foot apparel, e.g. stocking, socks, etc., had been affixed by and around the chimney in said House in the hope and/or belief that St. Nick a/k/a/ St. Nicholas a/k/a/ Santa Claus (hereinafter "Claus") would arrive at sometime thereafter.

The minor residents, i.e. the children, of the aforementioned House were located in their individual beds and were engaged in nocturnal hallucinations, i.e. dreams, wherein visions of confectionery treats, including, but not limited to, candies, nuts and/or sugar plums, did dance, cavort and otherwise appear in said dreams.

Whereupon the party of the first part (sometimes hereinafter referred to as "I"), being the joint-owner in fee simple of the House with the parts of the second part (hereinafter "Mamma"), and said Mamma had retired for a sustained period of sleep. (At such time, the parties were clad in various forms of headgear, e.g. kerchief and cap.)

Suddenly, and without prior notice or warning, there did occur upon the unimproved real property adjacent and appurtenant to said House, i.e. the lawn, a certain disruption of unknown nature, cause and/or circumstance. The party of the first part did immediately rush to a window in the House to investigate the cause of such disturbance.

At that time, the party of the first part did observe, with some degree of wonder and/or disbelief, a miniature sleigh (hereinafter "the Vehicle") being pulled and/or drawn very rapidly through the air by approximately eight (8) reindeer. The driver of the Vehicle appeared to be and in fact was, the previously referenced Claus.

Said Claus was providing specific direction, instruction and guidance to the approximately eight (8) reindeer and specifically identified the animal co-conspirators by name: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner and Blitzen (hereinafter "the Deer"). (Upon information and belief, it is further asserted that an additional co-conspirator named "Rudolph" may have been involved.)

The party of the first part witnessed Claus, the Vehicle and the Deer intentionally and willfully trespass upon the roofs of several residences located adjacent to and in the vicinity of the House, and noted that the Vehicle was heavily laden with packages, toys and other items of unknown origin or nature.

Suddenly, without prior invitation or permission, either express or implied, the Vehicle arrived at the House, and Claus entered said House via the chimney.

Said Claus was clad in a red fur suit, which was partially covered with residue from the chimney, and he carried a large sack containing a portion of the aforementioned packages, toys, and other unknown items. He was smoking what appeared to be tobacco in a small pipe in blatant violation of local ordinances and health regulations.

Claus did not speak, but immediately began to fill the stockings of the minor children, which hung adjacent to the chimney, with toys and other small gifts. (Said items did not, however, constitute "gifts" to said minor pursuant to the applicable provisions of the U.S. Tax Code.)

Upon completion of such task, Claus touched the side of his nose and flew, rose and/or ascended up the chimney of the House to the roof where the Vehicle and Deer waited and/or served as "lookouts." Claus immediately departed for an unknown destination.

However, prior to the departure of the Vehicle, Deer and Claus from said House, the party of the first part did hear Claus state and/or exclaim: "Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!" Or words to that effect.

Subject: RE: Fav. Xmas stories-Golden Cobwebs & more
From: Áine
Date: 22 Dec 99 - 08:05 PM

Since Bert was kind enough to mention this thread on the Mudcat Radio, I thought I'd refresh it.

Merry Christmas Everyone, Áine

Subject: RE: Fav. Xmas stories-Golden Cobwebs & more
From: Áine
Date: 18 Nov 01 - 06:39 AM

Refreshing this thread for the 2001 season! Enjoy!

-- Áine

Subject: RE: Fav. Xmas stories-Golden Cobwebs & more
From: Cllr
Date: 18 Nov 01 - 08:36 AM

Aine thank you for refreshing this thread I just told one of the stories to my wife and it made her cry. I shall save the rest for christmas eve. Cllr

Subject: RE: Fav. Xmas stories-Golden Cobwebs & more
From: katlaughing
Date: 29 Nov 01 - 09:58 PM

refresh for this year

Subject: RE: Fav. Xmas stories-Golden Cobwebs & more
From: GUEST,Paul
Date: 07 Dec 01 - 01:49 AM

refresh

Subject: RE: Fav. Xmas stories-Golden Cobwebs & more
From: katlaughing
Date: 07 Dec 01 - 03:08 AM

Thanks, Paul. This is the story I read and sent to Ron Olesko at WFDU who is including it in his Christmas show, to which we were invited to contribute. My grandma would be amazed; she died in 1966, so didn't know about such things as computers in homes and the internet, etc.

Subject: RE: Fav. Xmas stories-Golden Cobwebs & more
From: CapriUni
Date: 24 Dec 01 - 11:20 AM

Just a refresh, so that more people may see these stories (And to remind them that there are more where these came from on the Mudcat Storytellers' Page -- a branch of Áine's Songbook).