A Fairytale at Christmas

Once upon a time, in the countryside of England there lived a young woman named Eliza. She lived with her father in a big house on the edge of a small village. At this time, Eliza's father was old and nearing the end of his life. Eliza was past 20 and unmarried. She was not a great beauty although she had a kind heart and her father worried about what would become of her when he was gone. Who would look after her and provide for her?1

One day Eliza chanced to meet a young man named Henry. In the usual way of things, they began 'walking out together' and within a few months, Henry had professed his love for her and asked her father for Eliza's hand in marriage.2

Eliza's father did not like Henry and had watched with growing sadness as Henry courted her and won her affections. But he was old and there was no-one else to care for his daugther. Unwillingly, he gave consent and the young couple were betrothed.3

Shortly after, Eliza's father died and Henry grew excited, looking forward to the fortune that would come to him through his marriage to Eliza.  But he was in for a shock, for when the will was read, it transpired that Eliza's father had been heavily in debt and there was no money left for his daughter. Eliza was penniless.4

Henry flew into a great rage and blamed Eliza for not telling him that she would have nothing when her father died. Eliza protested that she had been ignorant of the matter and that as her husband, he must provide for her as soon she would be giving birth to his child.5

Henry was horrified, there was no money to be had and he was about to be trapped into a profitless marriage with a child in tow. That very night he fled, taking the village barmaid with him and leaving Eliza completely alone.6

The innkeeper, horrified and ashamed at his daughter's behaviour with the scoundrel, allowed Eliza to rent a small cottage that he owned on the outskirts of the village. There Eliza lived, growing bigger with the coming child. She made her living picking flowers and making beautiful arrangements to sell. In this way she managed to survive and buy food, clothing and wood for the fire.7

Winter came and with it the snow. Eliza, by now very near her time, was cut off from the village.  8

It was on the night before Christmas when she felt the first pangs of labour begin. The snow was thick all about and there was no-one to call for help.  She stayed by the fire, keeping warm and trying not to think about what was to come.9

It was in the deep quiet of the night that the knock came upon the door. Opening it, Eliza found a man, half-frozen with cold. He was a woodcutter who had lost his way in the snow. He had seen the light shining in her window and come seeking food and shelter.10

Eliza gave him food and begged him to fetch a doctor or midwife, but it was too late. While they had been talking, the snow had been falling thick and fast. It was now piled up so high against the door that it would not open.11

The woodcutter did not panic, he had been the oldest of nine and knew quite well what to do. He got Eliza to bed and heated water on the fire. Then he waited.12

In the early hours of Christmas morning, Eliza's son was born, hearty and healthy.  Thankfully, there was nothing immediately recognisable of his father in him.  Eliza named the child John after the woodcutter.13

The woodcutter stayed for two weeks until the snow melted and then he went home to collect his few possessions and return to Eliza's house to help look after the baby and do odd-jobs.  John became the village carpenter and it was clear that he loved Eliza's son as if he was his own child. It was also clear that he loved Eliza and she him. Within the year, they were married.14

Little John grew into a strapping young lad who helped his step-father in the workshop.  By the time he was two, Henry had returned to the village.  The barmaid had left him for another man and he had decided that being penniless with Eliza was better than being penniless by himself.15

He returned to find his fiancee married and his son calling another man "Father".  He slunk away quietly and died quite alone, for such is the fate of all men who misuse women.16

On the eve of Little John's third birthday, Eliza announced that she was once more expecting a child. John was delighted and a prouder father could not have been found in all the land.17

Eliza gave birth to her child in the summer and he was named Oliver for John's father.  They had several more children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Eliza and John loved each other until the end of their days, living to a great age and dying peacefully in their sleep.18

Little John grew into a handsome man, he became the village carpenter and made quite a name for himself.  He brought back the family home and lived there quite comfortably before eventually becoming Lord Mayor. His daughters married earls and his sons married ladies. He was such a good mayor that when he died at the grand old age of 93, the village set up a memorial to him in memory of a good man whose humble beginnings had always ensured that he did the best for his village.19

As for Oliver, he became a famous author and made his living writing books for children. He never married, but was quite content looking after his many nieces and nephews. 20

And so, this is the end of my little tale and I can quite honestly say that they all lived happily ever after.