Wombat from down under is here to share a sweet Christmas tale with us.
It’s a week before Christmas and Wombat is so excited. He loves the lights and the presents, he loves the Christmas caroling – but best of all is the Nativity play.
Wombat has been waiting to be old enough to be in the play, and this year, he finally is. He rushes off to the auditions, anxious to take part.
When he gets there, he sees all of his animal friends gathered together. Emu is making a list of the actors and their parts. When she asks who would like to play the Archangel Gabriel, Wombat volunteers, but he’s too heavy to be hoisted up on the ropes, and the angel has to be able to fly.
Next, Wombat volunteers to be Mary. But he’s too big to ride the “donkey” – two children dressed in a donkey costume. He smashed them flat. So the part went to another child.
Then Wombat decides to try the part of one of the three kings. But he’s too short – the costume drags on the floor and he gets tangled up.
He wanted to be Joseph, but he fell asleep. He tried to be the innkeeper, but he was too clumsy. He even attempted the role of shepherd, but that was a disaster.
All the roles are taken and there wasn’t anything left for Wombat. He’s about to cry – he’d wanted to participate in the play for so long, and now it seems he can’t. But then one of the children has a wonderful idea.
And so Wombat participates in the play, with the most important part of all – he’s Baby Jesus. And he does a simply divine job, and is the happiest he has ever been.
(This book was published in 1995 by Harcourt, Brace and Company and was illustrated by Kerry Argent.)
Related Blogs: