Read Online Christmas Daisy by Christine Bush - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Christine Bush
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this is it,” commanded Ben to his staff and students. “On stage for the finale. This is the last scene, and we want to leave everybody with a great feeling of peace and good will.”
Which was not exactly the tone of the minute. The kids were all over the place, flapping angel wings, banging bongos, and two shepherds were having a sword fight with their curved shepherds’ crocks.
In slight desperation, Miss Gracie began the chords to the final song, which could barely be heard over the excited din. Mr. Ben clapped his hands to get everyone’s attention. The cast finally moved to their places. But only a few angels joined in for the first few lines.
“Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing over the plains.
And the mountains in reply, echoing their joyous strains…”
Sensing they were singing alone, the singing angels paused.
As they stopped singing, the room suddenly became silent, except for the tinkling notes of Miss Gracie’s piano. And one lone voice.
Little Hannah, feeling safe while flanked by Daisy and Alexandra, her two protectors, had begun singing exuberantly with the crowd. And into the sudden quiet, her little voice went on…
“Glor—orrrrr—orrrrr-ooorrr-i- a
In excelcius Deo,
Glor-ooor-orrrr—orrrr—i---a
In excelcius Deo.. ”
Hannah’s little voice echoed through the silence, its clear childlike tones sounding like a heavenly gift. Everyone froze, including Miss Gracie at the piano.
There was a long soundless moment.
“Wow, that was cool,” whispered Tyrone in a gruff whisper into the silence.
And then the whole room broke into applause and hoots of appreciation.
“That was great, Hannah.”
“Sounded like an angel!”
The little girl’s face creased into a wide joyful smile. She clenched her hands together, almost as if in prayer. “That was so fun!” She squealed in an exuberant voice.
“We should do that song like that,” said Maria, holding up her Raggedy Ann doll baby Jesus. “Hannah should sing the chorus to the baby Jesus, and that’s a fact.”
Ben stepped up on the stage and laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. Hannah tilted her had back and looked up at him in awe.
“That was really fantastic, Hannah! Do you want to sing a solo for the chorus? It’s up to you..”
The little girl squeezed Daisy’s hand with surprising strength. She nodded with hesitation. “Okay. I can do it as long as I have Miss Daisy and Alexandra with me.” She looked back and forth at her two supporting angels.
“Sounds good to me,” said Daisy with an unexpected tug on her heart. She was so proud of little Hannah. She was so awed by her courage and her enthusiasm for life, even after all the loss she had experienced in her short seven years.
Alexandra nodded too, still not speaking a word.
“Well, let’s do it then,” said Ben in a happy voice.
Daisy’s gaze locked with Ben’s as he stood in front of the cast assembled on the stage, arms raised to direct the song. She could read his enthusiasm for the pageant as he worked. And she could feel his caring and concern as he looked into her eyes, discerning her feelings, checking on her anxiety level. She tried to smile back, well aware the expression was forced. He smiled back, understanding. It was affirming to know he watched her, even if embarrassing. What kind of person got so stressed out over the sound of Christmas music?
Daisy sighed, looking at little Hannah beside her, and then Alexandra standing nervously on Hannah’s other side. Only for these two dear students would she put herself through this. And for Ben. She looked out at Ben again, the pride in his excited students practically radiating out of him. He loved New Horizons, this amazing little school that gave so many students second chances.
The cast came to order on the stage, and the song was rehearsed again. The whole group sang the first verse, “Angels We Have Heard on
Which was not exactly the tone of the minute. The kids were all over the place, flapping angel wings, banging bongos, and two shepherds were having a sword fight with their curved shepherds’ crocks.
In slight desperation, Miss Gracie began the chords to the final song, which could barely be heard over the excited din. Mr. Ben clapped his hands to get everyone’s attention. The cast finally moved to their places. But only a few angels joined in for the first few lines.
“Angels we have heard on high, sweetly singing over the plains.
And the mountains in reply, echoing their joyous strains…”
Sensing they were singing alone, the singing angels paused.
As they stopped singing, the room suddenly became silent, except for the tinkling notes of Miss Gracie’s piano. And one lone voice.
Little Hannah, feeling safe while flanked by Daisy and Alexandra, her two protectors, had begun singing exuberantly with the crowd. And into the sudden quiet, her little voice went on…
“Glor—orrrrr—orrrrr-ooorrr-i- a
In excelcius Deo,
Glor-ooor-orrrr—orrrr—i---a
In excelcius Deo.. ”
Hannah’s little voice echoed through the silence, its clear childlike tones sounding like a heavenly gift. Everyone froze, including Miss Gracie at the piano.
There was a long soundless moment.
“Wow, that was cool,” whispered Tyrone in a gruff whisper into the silence.
And then the whole room broke into applause and hoots of appreciation.
“That was great, Hannah.”
“Sounded like an angel!”
The little girl’s face creased into a wide joyful smile. She clenched her hands together, almost as if in prayer. “That was so fun!” She squealed in an exuberant voice.
“We should do that song like that,” said Maria, holding up her Raggedy Ann doll baby Jesus. “Hannah should sing the chorus to the baby Jesus, and that’s a fact.”
Ben stepped up on the stage and laid a gentle hand on her shoulder. Hannah tilted her had back and looked up at him in awe.
“That was really fantastic, Hannah! Do you want to sing a solo for the chorus? It’s up to you..”
The little girl squeezed Daisy’s hand with surprising strength. She nodded with hesitation. “Okay. I can do it as long as I have Miss Daisy and Alexandra with me.” She looked back and forth at her two supporting angels.
“Sounds good to me,” said Daisy with an unexpected tug on her heart. She was so proud of little Hannah. She was so awed by her courage and her enthusiasm for life, even after all the loss she had experienced in her short seven years.
Alexandra nodded too, still not speaking a word.
“Well, let’s do it then,” said Ben in a happy voice.
Daisy’s gaze locked with Ben’s as he stood in front of the cast assembled on the stage, arms raised to direct the song. She could read his enthusiasm for the pageant as he worked. And she could feel his caring and concern as he looked into her eyes, discerning her feelings, checking on her anxiety level. She tried to smile back, well aware the expression was forced. He smiled back, understanding. It was affirming to know he watched her, even if embarrassing. What kind of person got so stressed out over the sound of Christmas music?
Daisy sighed, looking at little Hannah beside her, and then Alexandra standing nervously on Hannah’s other side. Only for these two dear students would she put herself through this. And for Ben. She looked out at Ben again, the pride in his excited students practically radiating out of him. He loved New Horizons, this amazing little school that gave so many students second chances.
The cast came to order on the stage, and the song was rehearsed again. The whole group sang the first verse, “Angels We Have Heard on