Ron Mitchell first submitted this story for inclusion in the December 2018 parish magazine. He was keen for you to have the opportunity to read it again:
John and Martha lived in a little thatched cottage on the outskirts of the village, both were retired and in their early eighties. John spent all his life as a carpenter and would make toys for their two children at Christmas, then later made them for his grandchildren. But in the last couple of years due to failing eyesight he was unable to do any work, while Martha would knit jumpers and dolls was not able to due to severe arthritis.
It was Christmas Eve and they were both looking forward to the visit of the family the next day, sitting round a log fire Martha was reading to John – it was his favourite book (Wind in the Willows). Outside the weather had taken a turn for the worst, a strong wind had whipped up and sea driving the snow into deep drifts. There came a metallic sound of the door knocker which startled John and Martha – who was calling at this time said John edging his way to the door. Stood in the doorway was this rotund figure of a man covered in snow – “May I come in and shelter till the wind dies down” asked the stranger – always glad to have the company John told the stranger to come in a pull a chair up to the fire. “Shall we open that bottle of port wine we have been saving for a special occasion” asked Martha, “what a good idea” John replied. The stranger could see that John was having trouble opening the bottle and offered to help whilst he was pouring the wine Martha went into the kitchen and brought out a plate of mince pies which she had baked that very afternoon.
The old couple could not stop talking telling the stranger about their life together and how things have become much harder as they have grown older. All of a sudden the stranger stood up “look at the time” he said pointing to the clock on the wall – it was twelve o’clock – I have a long way to go before morning and the wind has died down so I must be off. Thanking the couple for their hospitality he hurried away. “It was nice having company” said Martha “and he seemed such a nice man – did you catch his name John?” “No” said John “but never mind it was a nice evening.”
It was seven o’clock the next morning when John woke, looking around the room things seemed a lot brighter than normal – picking up the bible which was on the table at the side of the bed John was able to read it even though the print was small. “Martha” he yelled “I can see to read” and began to read a few verses. Martha was so excited she leapt out of bed then stopped suddenly looking down at her hands – the fingers that were twisted were now straight and the pains she had in her joints were gone.
St Margaret's Church Prestwich 