Bonzer Words!: A Memorable First
Peggy Blakeley tells of an unfortunate "addition'' to a school nativity play.
Peggy writes for Bonzer! magazine. Please visit www.bonzer.org.au
It was my first headship - as head of an infants' school,
It was my first Nativity, presented on my first Christmas at the school.
And it was first go at impressing - or hoping to - the mums and dads and the rest who would be my first audience.
With the carols chosen and finally learned; with the characters costumed in suitable garb; with the back-cloth a-twinkle with twinkling stars—at last it was THE day.
By around two o'clock the rows of chairs were occupied by parents eager to see their infant prodigy perform and at 2:30 exactly the play began.
All went well as the story unfolded and the tale was told by the carols which our little choir sang and we came at last to the final scene.
In the centre there was Mary sitting by the manger looking down lovingly at the baby lying there. Behind her stood Joseph, one protective hand upon her shoulder and behind them a view of halo'ed angels looking angelic—as angels do.
To one side knelt those shepherds who'd abandoned their sheep so that they could follow that guiding star. Then on the other side stood three grand and splendid kings having delivered their gifts of gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
Then our little choir embarked on the final carol and as they sweetly sang
Away in a manger, No crib for a bed...
Joseph threw up and was violently sick all over Mary's blue-shawled head. But Mary was impassive and moved not a muscle. She seemed totally unfazed as indeed did all the cast. Then the curtains closed to tumultuous applause.
(I'll spare you the aftermath!)
Yes indeed, a Memorable First.
©2004 Peggy Blakeley
