A Gnome Christmas

Papa climbed high up in the tree looking for the perfect branch. He didn’t like much for cutting down a young sampling. He preferred finding a branch to cut from a fully grown pine. He stepped onto a branch, full of bright green pine needles. He took a deep breath; he had always loved the smell of the tall pines. He walked out to the end of the branch and cut the tip of the branch from the beautiful pine. It would make a perfect Christmas tree and fit just right in the burrow under the old oak.

As he walked, he gathered leaves, fallen pine needles and small pieces of wood to put in the fireplace at home. It was getting harder to find what they needed underneath the layer of white, powdery snow that now covered the forest floor.

He started to head back; his family would be expecting him soon. Shrew, mouse and hedgehog would be joining them for dinner and tea, and to help decorate the burrow for Christmas. The Gnome family invited their friends over every year to help celebrate the coming holiday. He trudged through the soft snow, the clothes he wore, that his family had sewn him last winter, kept him warm and dry in the cold, wet weather.

With a flutter, Spotted Towhee landed in the snow in front of Papa. “Good afternoon, are you headed back to the burrow?”

“Yes, it looks like the snow will be falling again soon, I’d better hurry. Would you like to join us for our celebration tonight?” Papa said as he glanced up at the sky as the clouds began darkening.

“Thank you, I’d love to. I will meet you at the burrow soon. I’ll bring some seeds with me to share.” Spotted Towhee said as he hopped on a low branch then with a flap and a chirp, he was off.

Papa finally reached the warm burrow. He dusted off the snow and stepped in. He placed the leaves, pines needles and wood by the crackling fire. He walked over to the edge of the sitting room and took the small pine tree off his back, placing in the corner.

As their friends arrived with a scurry and a flutter they sat down and shared a meal of juicy berries, roots, seeds and freshly caught fish. They brewed tea and began decorating the burrow. Stringing up pinecones, bells, mistletoe, holly, and grapevines that they had fashioned into stars, animals and little gnomes.

When they had finished decorating, they sat around the fireplace telling stories and playing music. The children laughed and danced around the room.

The glow from the cozy burrow lit up the bottom of the old oak, the music they played seemed to make the snowflakes dance as they fell from the sky.