5" David with Lantern, Fontanini #52594

5” David the nephew of the Inn Keeper figurine
The night was cooler than usual, so David put on his cloak, before igniting the lamp he used to check the animals in the stable behind the inn. A slight wind blew under the front door and sitting mats rustled a bit at the inn’s entrance. What was there about the night that seemed a bit strange?

David’s job had no real definition. He tended the animals and sometimes helped the cook. And often he welcomed guests when no one else was available. For a young man, he had been most eager to learn all about the running of the inn, owned by his favorite uncle.

On this particular night, the inn was filled to capacity with travelers, most venturing to Bethlehem to participate in the census taking. Men and women and children seemed to be everywhere, and the cook had even hired assistants to help get bread baked and soup cooked so guests wouldn’t grumble.

David was very relieved to get out of the noise to the calm of the stable. He took his lantern and made his way through the straw slowly, watching the eerie shadows as they played around the huge room. In the dark, David could see the cows moving lazily against the straw and the donkeys settled into another corner. Even the sheep formed their own cozy circle.

For no reason that he could think of, David decided to clear the area at the center of the barn. He used his lantern to light hanging lamp wicks and then swept back the space with a sense of purpose that he could not identify.

The animals viewed him with no alarm, for they knew David well. He finished the task and then brought fresh water for them. Extinguishing the wicks, David left the barn carrying the single lantern.

A donkey, tied to the post at the front of the inn, indicated new guests. David entered to find a woman in blue wearing a white headcloth at the entrance. A bearded man talked with David’s uncle in quiet tones, pointing at the woman who was obviously exhausted and carrying a child.

“David,” his uncle called, “we have guests in need of shelter for the night. Although we have no rooms, I told them they might use the stable.” The innkeeper looked apologetic, “I am sorry that I cannot do more for you. We are filled day and night these days…”

“We thank you for your hospitality in any case,” the weary traveler said.

“Will you help them, David?”

“Gladly, my uncle,” David answered, re-opening the door and then pointing the way with his lantern.