A VERY SPECIAL CHRISTMAS (PART FIVE)

As the family reached the fields, the children
went running off in the snow, with Rusty running
after them, on his short little legs, he found it
difficult to keep up, with all the snow he kept
sinking. There were quite a few children out this
morning, some had made a giant Snow Man, Ellie and
Robert went over to investigate. The Snow Man had
two bits of coal for eyes and a carrot for a nose
and a piece of red liquorice for a smiley mouth.
Ellie and Robert laughed, they thought it looked
like the snowman had lipstick on.

"Quick run," said Robert to Ellie, as he picked
some snow up ready to snow ball her.
Ellie ran off screaming at the top of her voice.
"I'll get you," said Robert all excited. He caught
her on the back.
"Right my turn now," said Ellie, she tried to catch him, but he was to fast.
"Aw! it's not fair," she stamped her foot.
Robert got her again, so Ellie stomped off.
"I'm not playing anymore," she declared.

Rusty was tired of chasing the children, it wasn't
so much fun trying to run in all this snow, so he
made his way back to Martha and John and just
sniffed around looking for some earth to dig, but
to no avail.
"Have you got the bread for the birds?" John asked
Martha, feeling it was time to move on.
"I certainly have, it's in the bottom of the pram." She lifted the bag of bread out and gave it
to John.
"Come on kids, we're going to feed the birds," he
shouted.
Ellie was quite happy to go, but Robert on the other hand wanted to stay.
"But dad, I want to stay and have snowball fights," he pleaded.
"No Robert, it's Christmas Day, so we're all staying together as a family, you can play with
your mates another day," said Father.
"Okay," he said reluctantly.

As they walked Martha turned to John,
"I hope it's not to much work for mum, doing all
the cooking."
"Ofcourse it's not, she wouldn't have offered if
it was to much for her."

They had been out a couple of hours now and Ellie
was starting to get tired, so they started to make
their way back. As they came to crossing the bridge, Rusty started to pull on the lead.
"What is it boy?" John was puzzled, "come on this
way Rusty."
Rusty had other ideas, he just kept on pulling. He
lead John down under the bridge.
"Martha," John shouted, "It's that Old Man from
the church, he looks so cold, he's going blue."
"Who is he dad?" asked Robert.
"I don't know son. Come on mate, up you get, I
think you had better come home with us, you can't
stay here."
The Old Man moaned, "so cold brr! can't move." He
started shivering. John looked at his wife,
"Martha quick come and help me get him up on his
feet."
Martha climbed down the bank. Once she was beside
the old man, she grabbed him round his waist.
"On three and lift," said John. "one, two, three,
lift."
They managed between them to get the old man up on
his feet.
"Come on old fellow, you can walk now, it's not
far, only across the road to our house." said John.
The old man smiled at John. "Thankyou kindly, you
are good people."
Robert wanted to know who he was and Ellie kept
saying, "phew! you smell."
"Stop that Ellie, you shouldn't be rude," Martha
scolded Ellie.
The Old Man smiled. "You know she's probably right
I think I could do with a bath.

To be continued ...............