Content
Skip to Main ContentAccessibility Help
As It Happens

'Fireside' Al Maitland reads Frederick Forsyth's The Shepherd

The year is 1957. An RAF pilot is heading home from Germany for Christmas. Fog sets in, and all radio communication is lost.

This annual reading of Forsyth's haunting short story is an As It Happens Christmas Eve tradition

CBC Radio ·
An RAF Mosquito, circa 1943. (Getty Images)
As It Happens31:34"Fireside Al" Maitland reads Frederick Forsyth's "The Shepherd"

The year is 1957. An RAF pilot is heading home from Germany for Christmas. Fog sets in and all radio communication is lost.

As we have nearly every Christmas Eve since 1979, As it Happens presents a classic reading of  Frederick Forsyth's The Shepherd by our late host "Fireside" Al Maitland. 

To hear The Shepherd, tune in to CBC Radio 1 on Friday, Dec. 24 at 6:30 p.m.  (7 p.m. in Newfoundland) stream it live on the CBC Listen page or the CBC Listen app, or listen in the player at the top of this story.

More from this episode

Add some “good” to your morning and evening.

A variety of newsletters you'll love, delivered straight to you.

Sign up now

Comments

To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted.

By submitting a comment, you accept that CBC has the right to reproduce and publish that comment in whole or in part, in any manner CBC chooses. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. Comments are welcome while open. We reserve the right to close comments at any time.

Become a CBC Member

Join the conversation  Create account

Already have an account?

now