Author: Susan Minarik

Back on solid ground after climbing down from the elves’ house, the Little Pine and Red Leaf headed for Holly Trail.  As they walked along, they could see that the elf children had been hard at work.  Every few skips and jumps they saw another decorated drum, each more beautiful than the last.  They seemed to stretch in every direction all across the forest floor.

It was a good thing that Mother Elf had reminded them to listen for her children’s whistling.  Otherwise, they never would have found them.  Their handiwork was everywhere you looked and gave no clue about what direction they had headed.

But since the songbirds were gone now for the winter, there was no mistaking that the sound they heard up ahead was the whistling of the elves

They bounded down the trail and when they turned the bend, sure enough, there were the elves, putting the final touches on yet another gorgeous drum.  They shouted to the elves in glee.  “Look!  Look!  Some lunch from your mother!”

Soon the two friends and their elf pals were seated in a circle on the ground, sharing the wintergreen muffins that Mother Elf had sent along.  Red Leaf spoke up and asked the elves why they decorated the drums, and who would play them?  (This was Red Leaf’s first Festival of Light and he found all of these preparations quite amazing.)

“We decorate them so that when the sun turns to make his northward journey, he will be welcomed by their beauty,” one of the elves said.   “And on that day, all the creatures of the forest will rejoice.  These drums are for the fairies’ celebrations.  They will dance in wondrous troops, dozens to a drum.  And all the forest will echo with the sound of their dancing.”

Red Leaf tried to imagine what it would be like to hear ten thousand fairies dancing.  But he could not.  So much magic would happen on that day!  He could hardly wait for it to arrive.

The elves had to get back to work.  Countless drums were still waiting for their creative hands.  They thanked their friends for the snack and said goodbye.

So the two friends began their walk home.   It would be nearly dusk before they got there.  The sun was already starting to sink in the northwestern sky.   Down Holly Trail they tumbled, the happy sound of whistling in their ears.

After saying goodbye to Holly, the boys headed to the elves’ house.  Maybe they could come out to play.

The climb to reach the house was tricky, perched as it was atop a pile of fallen, moss-covered logs.  But that was half the fun.

They were surprised when they finally got there to discover that the front door was closed and the place was so quiet.  Usually peals of elfin laughter rolled from a wide-open door.

But when they knocked, the elves’ mother opened the door and greeted them with a happy smile.

“Come in, boys!  I’ve just finished baking wintergreen muffins.  I’m sure you would enjoy one after your long climb.”

She poured cups of fragrant tea and set out the berry-studded treats for them to enjoy.

After politely thanking her, they asked, “Where are the elves?  We thought they might want to come out and play.”

“Oh, there’s no time for play for them right now!” she laughed.  “Elves have a lot of work to do to get ready for the Festival of Light.”   Today, she said, they were out decorating the drums down by Holly Trail.

“I’ll tell you what,” she said.  “I’ll make up a bundle of muffins, and you can deliver it to them for a lunchtime surprise.  They’ll be easy to find.  You know how they whistle when they work.”  She piled the muffins in a bright, woven sack and handed it to the boys.

As they climbed back down the mossy slopes, they could hear Mother Elf singing.  Everything the elves did, it seemed, they did with laughter and joy.

By the time they got to the far end of the lake, the morning sky was milky with clouds and the air was thick with moisture.  In the woods, the high branches shivered in the wind, rattling a signal to the woodland’s creatures and birds that a storm was on the way. The two pals didn’t mind. To them, all weather was a marvelous ever-changing show.

“I think we’re going to get some snow,” Red Leaf said as he and his friend skipped across the frosty ground.

“That would be wonderful! I had a great dream last night about snow,” Little Pine said.

They were just rounding the curve of the lake when Holly Tree came into view. They stopped for a moment as the wind blew the strains of her song across the cold waters.

Above her, the boughs of the tall pines whipped in the wind and the hardwoods’ branches clattered as they swayed. But beneath them, Holly stood tall and unshaken, her evergreen branches reaching to the sky.  This, after all, was the season of her glory. 

From ancient times, the humans had sought her ancestors’ bright leaves and crimson berries to decorate their homes for the Festival of the Light.  Her family had served to carry the legends of many tribes from one generation to another.

Some of the legends spoke of man’s suffering and pain, and of redemption, forgiveness and renewal.  Some told of elves at play.  Some told of humble gifts given and graciously received.

Holly was pleased to represent the peoples’ stories and to play a part in their celebrations.  But even more, she was glad to stand in the middle of this magical forest singing to its creatures her glad songs of the steadfastness of the Light and its promise of everlasting life.

“Hi, Holly!” the boys said as they finally stood beneath her bright, scalloped leaves. “That was a wonderful song!”

“Thank you!” she said. “I’m practicing for the Call to Festival Day. I’m so excited that it will soon be here! Where are you boys headed today?”

“We’re going to the elves’ house to see what they’re doing,” Red Leaf said.

“Well, tell them I send my greetings. They’ve been up for hours. I heard their whistles at dawn. They’re such fun-filled, industrious little guys! Just like you two. Have a wonderful day!”

After his night time visit from the Snow Queen, Little Pine was surprised to discover that the woodland still wore its late autumn garb. Not a snowflake was in sight.

Still, the air was cold and everything around him sparkled with frost.  You never knew, when you greeted a December morning, what the day would hold.

When he told his mother about his dream, her eyes sparkled just like the frost.  “What a gift!” she said.  “How beautiful!”

“But why isn’t there any snow?” Little Pine asked her. She told him that dreams had a timing of their own.  Some of them foretold events that might take a while to unfold in our world.

“But it’s a very pretty morning, nonetheless, don’t you think?” she said, as she set his breakfast out for him, “A blue jay stopped by earlier and told me that the whole forest is tingling with anticipation for the Festival. It’s only a few days away now, you know. He said everybody is excited and busy.”

Mother Pine laughed remembering her conversation with the bird. “After you eat, why don’t you get your friend and see what surprises the woodland might have for you today?” she said to Little Pine.

And before the words had left her mouth, Red Leaf appeared on their threshold, his eyes bright and eager for adventure.  Off the two pals ran.  And Mother Pine smiled and wondered what tales he would bring home with him today.

Little did the Little Pine know when his mother wished him sweet dreams how sweet those dreams would truly be.

He drifted for a while into deeper and deeper sleep.  And then, when they had left all traces of their everyday world behind them, suddenly a vision appeared.

Emerging from a field of white pine boughs and golden light was the most beautiful being he had ever seen.

Her face was kind and filled with love.  And although she didn’t speak, he somehow heard her message .

“Hello, sweet child.  I am the Snow Queen, come to tell you about the miracle of Light.  Soon the glorious sun will begin his northward journey, and on the day he sets out, your world will rejoice.  For the sun is Light’s messenger, and he brings to your world new life and new beginnings.

“I create the winter snows to reflect the light he brings.  Every snowflake that falls celebrates its joy and peace.

“And all of this—our light, our hope, our promises and joy—are just part of the song of the Great Yes.

“The day of the Light’s return is a new note in that song.  And it will find its way into your hearts and sing there, for we are all its children.  And we, sweet ones, are dearly, dearly loved.”

And as the last words of her message floated into Little Pine’s understanding, the beautiful Snow Queen faded away, and he sank into deep and dreamless sleep, filled with comfort and joy.

Chapter 1 – Before the Holidays

The children had no idea what it all meant.  Every year about this time, the grown-ups got really distracted and busy.

“Go play!” the mothers would command in stern voices, as if the children somehow needed to be persuaded.

The children would giggle and dash outside, glad to frolic for the afternoon in the fresh, December air.

“Tag! You’re it!” one would call, and the races would begin.

They played until dusk, being careful to freeze in their tracks if a human ventured past.  (It was a primary rule never to ruin the humans’ illusions that you were immobile.  It might frighten them very badly to see you racing through the forest..)

When the day’s light faded and they came inside the family’s fold, the grownups were relaxed, their eyes twinkling with secrets.   “Did you have a good time?” the fathers would ask.

And the mothers would serve them supper, give them a special kiss, and tuck them in, crooning, “Sweet dreams, little one.  Sweet dreams.”

And the children didn’t care whether they understood the grown-ups or not.  It was enough that they were so happy.