Large Fierce Mammal

Source: http://newyorkwritersintensive.com/the-shepherd/

The story you are about to hear was written by Frederick Forsyth as a Christmas gift for his Wife Carrie who wanted a ghost story. A former RAF pilot himself, the dutiful Husband veered wide of the usual terrestrial hauntings and delivered what you will hear tonight.

The Shepherd is set on the Christmas Eve of 1957, at which time I would have been eight months plus a day upon the Earth, snug as a bug in a rug far away from the fictional runway in Germany from which our 20 year old hero is about to launch his de Havilland Vampire into the night on a routine flight to spend the holidays with family in England. Along the way, Murphy’s Law, unfortunate weather, serendipity, and the timely assistance of a de Havilland Mosquito converge.

Alan “Fireside Al” Maitland recorded a reading of The Shepherd that has been broadcast in Canada nearly every year since 1979 in the last episode of the CBC Radio One show As It Happens that comes to air on or before Christmas Eve.

Today is “Boxing Day”, and the traditional day in our house for reading and storytelling. Join us now as the voice of Fireside Al fills this Long Winter’s Night.