Writing for Fun
The Winter Party - Bob Wendelkin
December 2014
'I think we will get the dogs to shift the sheep down into that field close to where the sheep from that other farmer have settled in for the Winter,' said the Farmer.
'We must make sure that they have plenty to eat as we move into Winter,' replied the shepherd.
'This is my first winter so I still have a lot to learn how to look after and care for my sheep. Let's hope it doesn't snow as they have enough to put up with, particularly with that lot over the fence in the field just over there,' said the Colonel.
'How long do you think they will be here?' asked the Shepherd.
'Well we know that they will be here for this Christmas, I'm certain that very few of them will be here for next Christmas. Most will have gone perhaps to a better place; still that is the fate of sheep I suppose,' replied the Farmer with a serious look on his face.
The Shepherd called on his dogs and they drove the sheep down the field. As they moved they Baa Baaed so that it almost seemed as if they were singing. Finally they finished their move so that they were close to the hedge and not that far from the sheep on the other side of the fence, with just an adjacent field between them.
The sheep settled in and gathered together to try to keep warm. Over the next few days some of the sheep got over the fence into the adjacent field to where the other farmers sheep were also bedding down and trying to keep warm, who objected to these sheep coming so close. The sheep that tried this move were unsuccessful and they didn't return, they stayed out on the adjacent field waiting to be collected and returned to their side of the fence.
For all the sheep on both sides of fence it was their first Christmas out in the field, and for many of them being simple sheep it would probably be their last, as sheep don't usually have long lives. The night was crystal clear and the stars shone out as there was no lighting on the ground.
It was Christmas Eve; all the sheep on both sides of the fence were quite content to rest the night away. Quietly at first from the other field the sheep started to bleat.
'Baa, Baalent, Baanicht, Baarly Night' the Baaing of the sheep on the other side of the fence changed into a well known Christmas Carol, Silent Night being sung in German.
The sheep on this side of the fence listened then replied with 'Oh come all ye faithful'.
When they had finished their Carols one of the English Soldiers shouted across no-mans land. 'Hey Fritz you seem in good voice.'
'You're not so bad, Tommy,' replied the German.
'Let's have a Peaceful night just like the carols suggest,' replied Tommy.
'Yes let there be peace between us on this special night,' agreed Fritz.
'Give us another of your Carols, Fritz,' suggested Tommy.
For quite a time both sides sang their hearts out. Even those of no religious belief joined in and sang. Then after a time silence fell over the field. In the distance they could still hear spasmodic gunfire, but here there was stillness.
'Good night Fritz.'
'Good night Tommy, perhaps we will meet in the morning, it being Christmas Day, a time for families and Parties,' shouted the German across no-mans land.
'See you in the morning,' replied Tommy.
The night passed from Christmas Eve to Christmas Day. The Chaplin came round the trench to wish the boys a Happy Christmas and to distribute some goodies that had been sent from home.
'Hey look at this, it's a Fritz and he's is coming across no-mans land, shall I shoot at him?' asked one of the soldiers.
'No, he's on his own, I'll go out and meet him,' replied his friend. 'If they shoot make sure that he doesn't get back alive,' he said as he climbed over the top of the trench.
It seemed strange to him to go over the top and no one trying to kill him. He gradually made his way to the centre of the field where the German was waiting for him, with his hand out stretched.
Tommy took his hand. 'This is how it should be Fritz, not trying to kill one another, all the ordinary man wants is to live in peace and see that his family is well cared for. Not stuck in some muddy ditch waiting to be killed,' said Tommy.
'You are right I have no hatred in my heart for the English,' replied Fritz.
'We are here because of our so called Leaders pushed us here,' said Tommy.
'Fritz, there are quite a few of my mates who are resting in the mud, can we take them back to our lines and look after them.'
'We are sorry but we had to shoot them as they would have killed us if they had got across. Please I will tell my friends what you intend, but you must not carry any arms when you collect your dead.'
'Thank you I think there are sixty nine of our boys to be brought home,' replied Tommy giving Fritz a good shake of his hand. 'While you are telling your side I'll go back and tell my side.'
With that both Fritz and Tommy made their ways back to their lines to tell them what had been agreed.
'I think we can trust Fritz, he is just like us he doesn't want to be here. He said we can collect our dead, but we must not carry any arms. Anyone ready to come with me?' asked Tommy
A fair number of the men in the trench agreed to go and started to climb out of the trench.
'We are coming over Fritz, don't shoot,' shouted Tommy.
'You will all be safe if you are unarmed,' replied Fritz.
They collected their sixty nine comrades who had paid the price of the poor leadership who had ordered them to go over the top into machine guns fire and they had paid the ultimate price, with their lives.
Fritz came over and helped to pick up the dead, even one of the younger Germans had tears in his eyes as he helped.
'Did you see him, he's crying for our men and we were trying to kill him only yesterday. It just doesn't make any sense,' said one of our soldiers.
After a time both sides were becoming more relaxed with one another but because of the language problems communication was becoming difficult. Suddenly a football was produced and the men started to kick it around. Soon coats were laid down to form goals and teams were formed and a game soon started.
Two of the bystanders who didn't want to play football found something to sit on and watch the game, a German was sitting next to a Tommy who had a good command of English as he had lived in London for a number of years.
'We all thought it would be over by Christmas,' said Tommy.
'From what I see it will be many years before those who survive will be able to get home to their families,' replied Fritz.
'You are right, but why are we here. I have nothing against the Germans – the French possibly – even our Royal Families are all German and cousins,' said Tommy.
'You have hit the nail on the head; our so called leaders aren't here, they are safe in their homes telling us sheep to kill one another. If they were here and they were the ones leading us over the top to face the machine guns I think the war would have been over by Christmas,' said Fritz.
'Why do we let them push around like this?'
'Because they have all the power to destroy any individual who stands up and objects. In Germany to refuse to fight would lead to a firing squad or long time in prison,' replied Fritz.
'It's the same over our side, but I don't think we shoot any Conchies. In the end it is us sheep who turn our leader's words into action,' replied Tommy.
'We the ordinary man are fools we place the most precious thing we have our lives and put it in the hands of some Politician. But the individual is really powerless to stop it we the ordinary men and women of the world have collectively stand together.
When this is all over those who survive will march past our Pushers, sorry Leaders, as they stand on their balcony and wave to the silly 'B' who go to collect their bits of tin for their chests, which will only end up in some draw gathering dust,' said Fritz.
'I'm afraid the winning side will be that side that has ten men left and the other has only one,' said Tommy.
Meanwhile, many miles from the front line, the General was just finishing his lunch when his aid-de-camp came in to tell him what was happening at the front.
'What do they think this is, a Party? They are supposed to be killing one another not playing bloody football. Get the dogs down there to round up those sheep. We can't have this happening; without war we don't have any reason to exist,' shouted the General.