For years the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s “As It Happens” program has broadcast Alan Maitland’s reading of Frederick Forsyth’s “The Shepherd” on or about Christmas Eve. Here’s the story behind the tale:

Forsyth created this original work as a Christmas gift to his first wife Carrie after she requested a ghost story be written for her. Written on Christmas Day 1975, and published near that time a year later, the idea came while trying to think of a setting away from the typical haunted homes, and seeing planes flying overhead. Many have speculated references to preexisting RAF folklore. While Forsyth is a former RAF pilot and could have heard and adapted such a story (either with or without the intent to do so) no references or anecdotal evidence have been put forward to support such claims.

If you’ve never heard it and have half-an-hour to spare, give Maitland’s wonderful telling of this ghost story a listen.