Carolyn Sherwin Bailey

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Retold by The Legendary Connection

TLC#00263

Once, on a cold, snowy Yuletide day, a little gray cat was walking near the edge of a quiet, frozen pond. The trees and ground were covered in a soft, white blanket of snow. As she wandered, she spotted a tiny robin hopping on the branch of a bare tree. “Where are you off to, little Robin, in this chilly Yuletide weather?” asked the gray cat, her eyes shining with curiosity.

The robin puffed out his bright red chest and chirped, “I'm going to sing a song for the King this joyful Yuletide morning.”

The gray cat’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t go just yet,” she purred. “Come closer, and I’ll show you the beautiful white collar I wear around my neck.” But the little robin shook his head. “No, no, gray cat. You can show that pretty collar to the little mice, but not to me.” And off he flew.

The robin flew and flew until he came to a grassy hill where he saw a sharp-eyed hawk perched at the top, scanning the ground below. The hawk spotted the robin and called out, “Where are you off to, little Robin, in this chilly Yuletide weather?” The robin stood tall on the branch and said, “I'm going to sing a song for the King this joyful Yuletide morning.”

“Don’t go just yet,” crooned the hawk, fluffing his feathers. “Come closer, and I’ll show you the shiny green feather I have in my wing.” But the little robin shook his head. “No, no, greedy hawk. You’ve pecked at the little birds, but you won’t peck at me.” And off he flew.

The robin flew and flew until he reached a rocky hollow in the hillside. There, sitting quietly, was a sly red fox. The fox’s amber eyes glowed as he watched the robin land. “Where are you off to, little Robin, in this chilly Yuletide weather?” asked the fox with a smile as wide as the river. The robin stood tall and chirped, “I'm going to sing a song for the King this joyful Yuletide morning.”

“Don’t go just yet,” called the fox, swishing his bushy tail. “Come closer, and I’ll show you the bright, shiny spot on the tip of my tail.” But the little robin shook his head. “No, no, sly fox. You can show that bright spot to the lambs, but not to me.” And off he flew.

The robin flew and flew until he came to a small cottage where a shepherd boy sat outside, warming his hands by a fire. The boy’s eyes lit up when he saw the robin flutter down. “Where are you off to, little Robin, in this chilly Yuletide weather?” asked the boy with a grin. The robin hopped closer and said, “I'm going to sing a song for the King this joyful Yuletide morning.”

“Don’t go just yet,” the boy called, holding up a handful of breadcrumbs from his pouch. “Come closer, and I’ll give you some tasty crumbs to eat.” But the little robin shook his head. “No, no, shepherd boy. You caught the little goldfinch, but you won’t catch me.” And off he flew.

At last, the robin reached the grand castle where the King and Queen lived. He perched on a shiny plowshare just outside the King’s window. Then, taking a deep breath, he sang the sweetest song he had ever sung. His melody filled the air like a beam of sunlight on a winter’s day. The King listened from inside and smiled. “What a lovely song,” he said to the Queen. “What gift should we give the little robin to thank him for his music?”

The Queen tapped her chin, thinking deeply. At last, she smiled and said, “Let’s give him a little wren to be his companion and wife.” So the King and Queen called for the little wren, and soon she and the robin were married in a grand Yuletide celebration. The King, the Queen, their royal court, and all the creatures of the countryside danced at the wedding. It was a day of joy and music for all.

After the celebration, the robin and the wren flew together back to the peaceful waterside, where they made a warm, safe nest. And from that day on, their songs could be heard every Yuletide morning, filling the air with sweet music for anyone willing to listen.

Original Source: Carolyn, Bailey,. “Once upon a Time Animal Stories.” Gutenberg.org, 2023, www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/72063/pg72063-images.html#Page_71. Accessed 20 Dec. 2024.