THE NATIVITY SPIDER synopsis

LOGLINE 

An ancient Christmas tradition of beauty and blessing is upheld by a brave little girl and a family of spiders. 

 

PITCH 

Eleven-year-old Betsy Lobb is ordered to kill her pet spiders, so they will not disturb the Christmas Eve party. But the spiders tell her they must decorate the Christmas tree with their webs so the Christ Child will come and turn them into silver tinsel and grant the spiders another year of life. Betsy dares her parents’ disapproval and threats to the spiders, brings them into the snobby party, and is thrilled as are all the guests to see a small child miraculously appear and turn the artful webs into shiny tinsel. Betsy’s heart is merry as this Christmas blessing brings life and beauty, and she wishes it could happen for everyone on earth.

 

SYNOPSIS

On Christmas Eve, 11-year-old Betsy Lobb’s mother tells her to kill the pet spiders she befriended out in the fields after admiring their work. Betsy brought them home to the Lobb’s three-story mansion, but her mother doesn’t want Christmas Eve party guests covered in spider webs. And if Betsy doesn’t kill them, the mother will get her dad to do it. Betsy gathers the spider family in her pockets and takes them to the attic, telling them to hide in the rafters until the party is over. Tarantola the Spider, also known as Tara, tells Betsy that he and his family must trim the Christmas tree with webs before midnight when the Christ Child comes and touches spider webs on Christmas trees, turning them into silver tinsel. When the Christ Child does this, he promises the spiders will live another year. Betsy agrees and goes back down to the party, leaving the spiders to spin in the attic. At the party, guests dance around the brightly decorated 12-foot tree, enjoying carols and trays full of Christmas pies and three-layered chocolate cakes. Betsy eats crab dip with sourdough bread, even making her way to the punch bowl a time or two. Glad the spiders are gone, Mr. and Mrs. Lobb entertain their noble guests, shushing Betsy.

 

It’s half-past eleven and soon the Christ Child will come. One kind guest encourages Betsy, assuring her that the Christ Child really does come at midnight. Betsy runs up to the attic and is thrilled to find it filled with beautifully cast webs. But with only five minutes until midnight, she gathers Tara and his family into her dress pockets, runs down the stairs, and hurries past guests to the tree. The spiders scurry up and down the Christmas tree spinning webs. Just as guests begin to scream about the spiders, the grandfather clock strikes midnight and bright starlight shines through the dark window. The entire room gasps as a small child appears next to the tree, admiring the webs artfully cast across the tall evergreen. Betsy asks the Christ Child to bless the Christmas tree. As he touches the webs, they transform into shining silver tinsel. Then, the Child disappears in the starlight. Before anyone finds Tara, Betsy shuffles him and his spider family back into her dress pockets. Although the others aren’t quite sure what has happened, silver tinsel shines on the evergreen. Betsy’s heart is merry in knowing that the Christ Child has taken every spider web and made it brilliant. Now if only that could happen for every heart on the Earth at Christmas.

Copyright 2022 Jennifer Waters

Chitter Chatter: The Story of Wind-Up Teeth

Chitter chatter, What’s the matter?

I’m just a mouth of teeth.

Pitter patter, my feelings shatter,

When you tell me, I need a sheath.

I won’t hurt you unless I catch you

Inside my pearly whites. 

Oops, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t be talking,

Only skeletons pick silly fights. 

Chitter chatter, what’s the matter?

I guess I already know. 

Kindness is always the best virtue.

Wind me up all aglow. 

So, keep your teeth inside your mouth,

Unless you lost your head. 

Mindless talking isn’t thoughtful— 

Someone with brains once said.

 

Copyright 2016 Jennifer Waters

Whistling Tale: The Story of Trills and Toots

If you need to learn to whistle, 

Let me tell you a little tale. 

It’s the sure way to trill and toot. 

It will never ever fail. 

Put your lips together,

Like you’re going to kiss a frog,

Instead imagine a prince,

Not a fish or puppy dog. 

When you think of your darling, 

Your lips will get wet.

Then you’ll start to whistle. 

Don’t worry, I’m not done yet. 

Whistling is almost like singing,

And kissing makes you sing. 

So, if you want to learn to whistle,

Kiss your sweetheart as a king.

You can whistle for the world,

Whenever you want to whirl!

A girl can whistle her best, 

When a boy loves the girl!

 

Copyright 2016 Jennifer Waters

Missing Marbles: The Story of Lois Lovejoy and the Lost Bag

My name is Lois Lovejoy, Sir, 

And I lost my marbles in a blur!

My marbles stay inside their bag, 

But they must have lost their tiny tag.

Marbles are more important than you think. 

They come in blue and yellow and pink.

I have a marble for each year of my growth,

My ten small pearls, with a sacred oath. 

I might start to shrink without the stones. 

Go back in time, ‘till I’m nothing but bones.

Marbles help you to remember things.

They’re better than fingers tied with strings.

To find my marbles before tomorrow,

It would save me a lot of sorrow. 

Where did I put them? I have to know!

It’s really hard to go-with-the-flow.

Maybe I left them in the kitchen sink.

Maybe I spilled them with my soda drink.

I could have left them beneath my pillow,

Or I could have fed them to my armadillo. 

You didn’t take them from me, did you?

I will be so upset. I don’t kid you!

You can always get your own set. 

Don’t you worry. Don’t you fret!

But now I have to find my own, 

It seems that I am dreamy–prone.

I might’ve lost my marbles in my sleep. 

They are special enough to keep!

Oh, wait a second, here they are.

They were never, ever far. 

They’ve been with me all along. 

Just didn’t see them! Ding dong!

My marbles were hanging ‘round my neck,

And I was such a terrible wreck, 

Wondering what I did with the ten!

Next time, I’ll write it down with my pen.

Now I’m making a note: “Marbles in jeans.” 

I’ll almost have twenty throughout my teens.

Until then, at least I found my marbles.

I might’ve gone crazy and spoke in garbles.

Happy! Happy! That’s what I am, 

A girl with marbles and a monogram.

 

Copyright 2016 Jennifer Waters

Telephone Game: The Life of Alexander Graham Bell

Hello, hello, can you hear me? 

My name is Dr. Graham Bell. 

Alexander is my first name. 

Now I have a few things to tell.

I’m not calling with some cups

And a telephone made of string.

Electricity is the future.

Did you hear the phone ring?

I’m a scientist from Scotland.

I’m a teacher of the deaf.

I send sound through wires. 

Can you hear the bass clef?

My invention has a patent,

And I am the sole inventor.

I love the human voice.

The voice is front and center.

I talked across twenty feet,

And then across the nation, 

And then across the Atlantic.

Please don’t change the station!

From Washington, D.C. to Honolulu,

My voice went across the Pacific.

At first everyone thought I was crazy, 

But the telephone is terrific! 

So, get yourself a telephone today.

You don’t even need to shout. 

Talk to your friends and family now.

They can hear you without a doubt!

 

Copyright 2016 Jennifer Waters

BORN ON CHRISTMAS DAY synopsis

LOGLINE 

A Christmas princess expands the kingdom of joy and helpfulness to many other children with her own generosity and dedication. 

 

PITCH

Natasha Bell was born on Christmas Day, believes she is a princess, and destined to do good everywhere! She helps the mall Santa move the children along, tell their wishes, and get their photos taken—even when the meanie mall manager orders her to stop. When a little boy wants a sister, but his mom can’t have one, Natasha volunteers to be his sister and tells him that makes him a prince, and he can help her do good the world . . . as many other children do over the years because of Natasha’s joy and generosity.

 

SYNOPSIS

Natasha Bell shares her birthday with King Jesus, believes she is a princess, and is inspired to do good everywhere! By age 10, she spreads love and kindness to people with all kinds of serious problems. At Christmastime, Natasha visits the shopping malls to meet the Santa Clauses and help them with the children who want to sit on Santa’s knee, tell him how “good” they have been that year, and ask for Christmas gifts. Then, they pose for the annual photo on Santa’s lap that goes in the family Christmas card and hangs on the refrigerator. When the mall manager comes by, she forces Natasha to the end of the line, but once she’s left, Natasha marches right back to the front of the Santa Claus display. Santa is pleased to have her help make his photo quota, and she gives advice on everything from how to pick a puppy to where to get a bargain. She even calms screaming kids, wipes tears, and dries noses. 

 

On Christmas Eve Day, a little boy sits on Santa’s lap, crying because he wants a baby sister for Christmas. The Mom says that she can’t have another baby, but he doesn’t understand why. Santa is dumbfounded. The boy protests, wondering if the mall Santa is the “real” Santa. The mall Santa says that he feels real, especially since he’s been kicked in the shin so many times. In the meantime, the boy’s mother insists that the Santa ask her son to stop sucking his thumb. He says that’s a wish that even Santa might need help with. He suggests meeting his helper, Natasha.

 

Marching toward Mr. Claus, the mall manager forbids Natasha from standing in the Santa line. Hiding from the looming manager, Natasha whispers to the boy on Santa’s lap that she will be his sister and that she’s a princess. While being eyed by the manager, the boy says yes, he would like to have a sister born on Christmas who’s a princess. Once the manager leaves, insisting that she doesn’t have time for nonsense, Natasha explains to the boy that if he’s her brother, then he’s a prince. She says: “Anyone who is my sister or brother would also be a princess or a prince. We can do good in the world together! My mom told me, so it has to be true.” Every year after that, Natasha collects new sisters and brothers in the Santa Claus lines until she has a kingdom—A kingdom of princesses and princes who all are related to the King, and that makes all the difference in the world. 

Copyright 2022 Jennifer Waters

Sweet Nightingale: The Life of the Lady of the Lamp

I am the Lady of the Lamp. 

The hospitals are dark and damp.

A ministering angel, they say I am,

But I’m just a nurse, like a little lamb. 

War rages and ravishes men.

I try to say a quiet: “Amen.”

My cross is red and very royal.

I’ve been true and always loyal.

The merciful and meek are blessed. 

Infirmity must be addressed. 

My father believed women must learn.

Now medicine and math are my concern.

I felt called to help those who suffer.

Compassion is the truest buffer.  

Though I’m tired and sometimes nervous,

I give myself to a life of service.

Like the bird who sings a song,

A Nightingale knows love is strong.

I make my rounds to soldiers at night. 

My lamp shines like the bright moonlight.

 

Copyright 2016 Jennifer Waters