Tom came up with the idea that they might want to have a live nativity in front of the church following the pageant. It was a great idea and caught the imagination of a number of people including the local 4-H club that met at the church. They offered live animals for the event. Now one would think that at least one person in a 4-H club would raise sheep, but it was not the case. So they brought a pony who doubled as a donkey and two calves, three rabbits, and a goat.
Shepherds keep goats.
They reminded Tom. The goat s name was Jesse and somehow in the excitement of the evening, Jesse wandered off and was found two houses down, chewing on Mrs. Bellingham s prize rose bush. Apparently the thorns did not deter. Mrs. Bellingham began sobbing uncontrollably, crying that the rose won t bloom again. It was only 10 days before Christmas, and Tom realized that he had not yet purchased a gift for Arlene, his wife.