Village Shepherd

When Mary used a jar of very expensive ointment to anoint Jesus' feet, other people condemned her because they thought her action was inappropriate and wasteful. But Jesus received her gift with warmth, and praised her.

This is a story about Luke, who had a very close relationship with his grandfather. One day Luke decided to show his grandpa how much he loved him, so he gave him a gift which other people thought wasteful and inappropriate.

Luke was happy. He was doing something he loved best, walking in the woods with his grandpa. Grandpa was the most interesting person Luke had ever met. When they were indoors, he'd often play the piano for Luke, and he could play any tune Luke could name, without ever looking at any music.

But it was even better out of doors. Grandpa knew the name of every flower and every tree. He knew where to spot bird's nests, and how to track foxes and badgers. He never minded poking about in pools and water, and filling jam jars with newts and tiddlers and frogs' spawn. And he always had time. Luke would ask endless questions. Sometimes they poured out of his mouth like a kind of torrent, and he couldn't stop them. But Grandpa always listened carefully, and always answered thoughtfully.

But today, Luke was quiet. He was quiet because he was so happy he thought he might burst. And he was quiet because he was thinking. He wanted to give something back to Grandpa. Something really special, something which would somehow show Grandpa how much Luke loved him, without having to say any words. Grandpa glanced at Luke quizzically from time to time, but didn't disturb him or interrupt his thought.

Luke was busy over the next few weeks. He'd spotted the perfect gift for Grandpa, and he set about raising the money to buy it. He did some odd jobs, like cleaning the car, and he saved his pocket money. He saved most of his dinner money too, and swore his sister to silence when she threatened to tell on him. The rest of the family kept asking him what he was doing, but he refused to let on. He managed to withdraw all his money from the savings bank without his mother knowing, by taking out small amounts each day.

At last he had enough money, and he bought his gift. Grandpa was coming for the weekend, so Luke was ready. When Grandpa sat down at the piano after lunch on Sunday, Luke quietly brought out his parcel and undid it. He stood his gift on top of the piano.

Everyone stared in complete silence. Then Luke's sister pointed to the gift and started to laugh loudly. Luke's Dad said: "What on earth is that thing?" And Luke's Mum said very crossly: "It's not Grandpa's birthday, you know. What do you think you're doing, spending money on tacky rubbish like that? It must have cost you a small fortune."

Grandpa didn't say anything. He looked at the gift thoughtfully, and began to play. And as he played, the garish plastic figure started to writhe and dance, and its eyes began to flash on and off. The faster Grandpa played, the faster the figure moved, and when Grandpa slowed down, the figure slowed down too.

"What a waste of money!" sneered Luke's sister. "Mum, do you know how much they cost? I saw them in the shop. Luke must have spent all the money he has on that!"

"Is this true, Luke?" asked his mother. "We've been saving that money for you, to give you a good future. Don't you realise your father and I have to go without, to buy you nice things? Why did you spend so much? Why didn't you ask first? Anyway, there are lots of much better things you could've bought than that. You could've bought something useful, like sheet music or a CD or a gardening book. Grandpa would have liked that, wouldn't you, Grandpa?"

Grandpa looked at Luke and there were tears in his eyes. But he blinked very quickly, then he winked. Then he said: "Yes, music or a book or a CD would've been very useful." He picked up the plastic figure and cradled it in his hands. "But this is the best present I've ever had. When you get to my age, nobody gives you anything just for fun, any more. I've had my fill of useful presents in my life, but I've never had anything which is such fun. A dancing figure! And I'm not sure anybody has ever given me a surprise gift before, for no other reason than to say - I love you." He turned to Luke. "Thank you Luke," he said gravely. "I love you too, more than I can say."

Luke grinned, a huge, wide grin. He winked back at Grandpa and said: "Fancy a walk in the woods?" And Grandpa smiled back, and went to fetch his coat.