Now, there was a call for a while back for some heartwarming history for the Christmas season, so after crocodiles and pikes, it's time I went for something a little more seasonal.

Today, I'm going to be providing a link that I found to a reading of Fredrick Forsyth's story, The Shepherd, as read by the CBC's (that's the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation for the non-Canucks) Alan Maitland. Alan Maitland was one of the CBC's notable radio hosts. He started work at the CBC as an announcer in 1947 and from 1974-1993 he served as co-host of the popular show As It Happens. He was a popular storyteller, gaining the nickname of "Fireside Al" for his short story segments on As It Happens and on other CBC shows. Even after his death in 1999, many of his recordings are still used annually by the CBC.

I'm going to say right off that The Shepherd isn't history, really. It's not a true story, nor is it based on a true story. Nevertheless, it is set in a historical time, discusses historical events, and it is read by one of the CBC's late great storytellers. Given that the CBC runs it every Christmas season (and Alan Maitland read it every Christmas until his retirement and later death), I feel that it is significant enough from a Canadiana perspective, at least enough for me, to be posted here. It's a flimsy justification, I'll admit, but I will risk banishment to this community's Phantom Zone if it means sharing this story with others.

Get yourself some hot cider/mulled wine/other traditional seasonal drink, sit back, and listen to The Shepherd.