THE WORTH OF ONE

THE WORTH OF ONE - A C H R I S T M A S STORY By Tessa Harvey     It was the end of term and the students were gathered for the final assembly. Christmas songs were sung and beautiful verses were read by some of the pupils about the prophecies of the coming of Jesus in the Book of Isaiah in the Bible. They were written hundreds of years before the actual birth of Jesus. Other pupils read about the new-born King from the stories of Matthew and Luke.     Finally the principal spoke. "Jesus was truly human and truly divine, a part of God. He chose to come to earth to be the bridge separating us from the love of God, a Cross to cross the chasm. The bad things we do, the silly mean selfish things keep us from God.  But Jesus died to save us.     "A manger is really a food bowl. It is bigger than a small tray for bird seed, or a dog or cat bowl. It was big enough for cattle or donkeys - so it was able to hold Jesus as a tiny baby. Jesus loves each of us very...

THE WORTH OF ONE - A C H R I S T M A S STORY By Tessa Harvey      Veronica awoke, coughing and spluttering. Someone held a bowl for her and helped her wipe her face clean. She looked up and saw two matrons and shuddered. "There are two of you," she exclaimed, unwisely. "One is enough," Alissa answered somewhat edgily. The girl had seemed horrified.     A nurse hurried in to help. She felt Veronica's head. "Good, much cooler," she remarked, cheerily, then whispered to the small girl, "you should thank this lady. Many hours she sits with you to come." Ronnie dutifully mumbled, "thanks."     "You gave us a fright," stated matron. Veronica said nothing. "Go on, tell me no-one loves me. Everyone hates me!" matron commented, briskly. "Well today I heard some good news. Want me to tell you, Veronica?"     That young lady bit back an unpleasant retort and tried to smile.     "My son is coming home with hi...

THE WORTH OF ONE - A C H R I S T M A S STORY   By Tessa Harvey     Falling helter skelter down the slope, Veronica had banged her head a couple of times. Her last conscious thought had been one of panic. "No-one will find me! I will die."     The rescuers came into the woods from near Pearsons' farm. The gardener, Silas Thwaite was with them. Looping a cord around the cat's neck, Simon gently sat him on his feet. Without hesitation, the animal walked stiffly to the edge of a steep slope dotted with ash trees and ferns. Even in the last of the light, scuffed soil and broken plants indicated where the little girl had fallen. Torches were switched on and carefully, Silas and Simon edged towards the overhang of the slope.     Young Nicola went with them to aid the girl, carrying the first aid pack. Since she had been nine, Nicola had wanted to be a nurse. Torches from above as well as their own lit the way through the tumbled rocks, trees, grasses and shr...

  THE WORTH OF ONE - A C H R I S T M A S STORY By Tessa Harvey     Matron Alissa Smith had been calling Brutus for some time. He was never usually late for an evening meal of meat scraps from the canteen, quite often chicken.     Slowly he emerged, limping from the darkness of some bushes, looking tired and dishevelled. Ignoring the food, the elderly cat headed for his water bowl and drank thirstily for several minutes, then gulped down some food.     The whole school had been searching for Veronica under strict orders not to leave the grounds. The principal came and knocked on the matron's door.     "One last check of the woods and we call the police," she said, wearily, "though what is tied around our cat's neck?" It was a very thin piece of sky-blue ribbon. Alissa lifted the animal. "He smells of hart's tongue fern."     The cat was struggling to get down, then made for the door, crying and looking back.     "I know wh...