“ O n Angel Wings” – Michael Morpurgo

› One starry night, a shepherd boy is taken on a secret, magical night-flight to witness a Christmas miracle. › Rachel is eight and for the first time is allowed to join her brothers and sister to visit their grandfather, Amos, as he carries out his annual ritual of spending a night in the hills, where he worked the young shepherd boy. Grandfather is delighted to see the children and a special bond is established between him and Rachel. He tells how she reminds him of a magical night. He then proceeds to recount it; describing how he is flown by the angel Gabriel to become the first visitor to the newly-born Christ child. This magical reworking of the Nativity by the acclaimed author Michael Morpurgo (Warhorse, Private Peaceful), is rich with human poignancy as we share this very special experience. Title and Content Layout with List

›Amos’ grandchildren visit him ›Rachel the youngest is very eager ›She is constantly teased by her siblings ›They sit with Amos around a fire ›They start eating ›Amos and Rachel have a close connection as they are both the youngest of their families ›Both had been teased for making up stories ›Amos starts telling them a story

›He initially refers to stars and a mysterious star ›He starts his story by mentioning that he was on the hill with their sheep, his Uncle Zach and his brothers ›Reuben and the others gave him a very hard time ›Whilst sitting around the fire Amos’ dog could smell something and was constantly barking ›Reuben jeered and told Amos to check out what was wrong ›Amos took a torch ›His dog ran in front and constantly barked

›Amos found a lamb which was lost. The lamb was surrounded by three jackals ›The dog and Amos defended the lamb ›As his uncle and brothers approached the jackals sped off ›When he told the story to his brothers and uncle they laughed at him ›Once back at the fire, the sheep Amos was carrying was cold ›He put extra wood onto the fire which burst into flames getting everyone up ›The fire sent sparks into the sky and covered the moon ›Lights appeared in the sky which were angels

›Then Gabriel came down to them ›Gabriel gave them the message that the saviour was born at a stable in Bethlehem – he was a king ›Gabriel explained the king’s purpose ›He said that they must follow a star in the eastern sky as it would lead them to the stable ›Amos became very excited and enthusiastic ›Some of his siblings doubted the angel until they saw the star moving in the sky ›Although Amos was the only firm enthusiastic believer they left him to tend to the sheep

›Gabriel told him not to worry and angels appeared to guard the sheep ›Gabriel then asked Amos to climb on his back so that he could take him to Bethlehem ›Amos insisted on taking his crook with him because that it what shepherds do ›On their journey Amos questions Gabriel about the purpose of the new king ›Gabriel takes Amos into the firmament (space) and shows him earth from the sky ›Gabriel tells Amos about humankind and what they are doing to the earth and each other ›Gabriel brings Amos to the stable to see the new king

›Amos meets the baby and instantly realises that he is very wide awake for a new-born baby ›The baby’s father (Joseph) says that they came to Bethlehem for the census ›His mother (Mary) says that the inns were all full and so they had to be in the stable ›Amos holds Jesus and talks to him ›Jesus’ father said that Amos was the first to visit the baby ›Amos gave his crook which his father had made for him to Jesus as a gift as Gabriel had said that Jesus would be a shepherd

›Jesus’ father said to Amos that Jesus would be a carpenter ›Amos and Gabriel leave at the same time as his siblings and uncle arrive ›The three magi (kings) are approaching Bethlehem following the star ›Gabriel brings Amos back to the sheep ›Again Amos questions Gabriel about what Jesus would bring to the earth ›Gabriel says that Jesus will bring love

›The angels and Gabriel depart ›Gabriel says to Amos that he will not see him again ›The film returns to Amos talking to his grandchildren ›Amos tells Rachel to keep believing in herself ›As they sit around the fire the angels appear again ›Gabriel holds the crook which Amos gave to Jesus