8th Day, The Faded Blue Blanket

The Faded Blue Blanket
Ladius and his brothers were shepherds and took good care of their father's sheep. One night when they were on the hillside, a bright star appeared. The star got brighter and brighter until it lit up the whole sky. Ladius was afraid. Then an angel appeared and Ladius was more afraid until the angel told them that Baby Jesus had been born that night in Bethlehem.
Ladius limped over to his brothers who were planning to set out for Bethlehem. His oldest brother said, "Who will tend the sheep?" Ladius looked down at his crippled foot and said, "I would only slow you down. Let me stay with the sheep." He tried not to show how sad he felt that he could not go to see the special baby.
His brothers said. "We must each take a gift." One brother chose to pick some meadow lilies to give to the baby; the other brother decided to give Jesus his precious ring.
"Here, take my blanket to him," said Ladius. It was very old and worn, and faded by the sun. "No, Ladius." said his brothers. "The blanket is too worn out to give to the baby. Besides, you will need it tonight if it gets cold."
His brothers left and Ladius was alone. He stood holding his blanket and tears came to his eyes. He wanted so very much to go and see the new little King and especially to give him a present. But his brothers were right, his blanket was too old and worn out.
"Are you coming, Ladius?" called a voice. Standing nearby was the same angel who had brought the news. "You wanted to see the child, didn't you?" "Yes," nodded Ladius, "but I must stay and tend the sheep."
"My name is Gabriel," said the angel. "Your sheep will be taken care of if you come with me. Take my hand and bring your blanket."
Suddenly, Ladius was outside a stable. He saw his brothers by the manger. Ladius started to call out to them, but the angle told him not to call out. "Look," said the angel. "The baby has no blanket covering him." "I would give him my blanket," said Ladius "but it is too old and faded." The angel whispered, "Give me the blanket." Then he took the blanket and quietly covered the Baby. But the blanket was no longer faded and worn; a wonderful thing had happened! Now the blanket was bright and beautiful!
Gabriel told Ladius, "Yours was the best gift of all, because you gave all that you had." And before he knew it, Ladius was back on the hillside watching over the sheep.
Soon his brothers returned. "Did you find Him?" asked Ladius. "Yes," smiled his brothers, "but tell us, where is your blanket?"
Ladius walked around to look and he noticed as he walked that he was not limping anymore! He also noticed that the faded, blue blanket was gone and it could not be found anywhere.