Once again, as December unfolds, I’m pleased to bring you the story of Little Pine and the Festival of Light. Join the beloved little tree as he and his forest friends prepare for their festival in celebration of the beginning of the sun’s return after it’s long journey to the south. This year’s festival is a special one. The King of Elves will be coming, and the forest world is abuzz with excited preparation.
Beneath the excitement, Little Pine and his friends discover the meaning behind the celebration and share their joy in a way that’s sure to touch your heart.
The story begins here. Let Little Pine introduce it, then scroll up for each day’s new tale. Or scroll down for today’s chapter.
It was one of those crisp, cold days that happen in early December when fog fills the morning air and the grasses and leaf-tips are covered in frost. Little Pine woke early, ate breakfast with his mother, and then set off to play with his oak-leaf friends.
“Remember the Rule, Little Pine,” his mother said as he got ready to go. “Festival time is beginning and Grandfather Pine sent out the word that humans have been seen at the edge of the woods.”
Rule One, Little Pine knew, was “Never let a human see you move.” Humans believed that trees always stayed in the same place. If they saw the little ones running around the woods, it would frighten them, and that wouldn’t be kind. And all trees everywhere value kindness above everything else.
“Thank you, Mother. I’ll be sure to watch for them, and I’ll remind my friends, too.” He gave his mother a hug and dashed out to play.
His oak-leaf friends were pretty with the frost sparkling on their leaves. But the sun was already rising in the sky and soon both the frost and the fog would be gone.
“Good Morning!” Little Pine called to his friends. “Want to play hide and seek?” And so their day of games began.
By the time Little Pine and his friends returned to their homes after the day’s adventures, the oak leaves were tired. Little Pine could tell by their colors that their spirits were almost ready to slip from their leaf-forms and return Home.
While they rested against his lower boughs, Little Pine thought about the first friend that the neighboring oak had brought him. “Dear little Red Leaf,” he mused, smiling to himself. “What great fun we had!”
He remembered how a white dove had come to him in his sleep last year to tell him that he and Red Leaf would always be brothers in spirit, and that Red Leaf could hear Little Pine’s songs and laughter across the worlds.
He knew now that was true of all friendships. Connected hearts stay connected forever.
Still, it seemed early for these cousins of Red Leaf to go, and Little Pine was a tiny bit sad that he wouldn’t have his dear companions at his side to watch the preparations for this year’s Festival. “But just think!” he said to himself, “What sights they must see when they’re Home!”
And he smiled at his resting friends, his heart filled with affection, knowing that they, like little Red Leaf, would be his friends beyond the end of time.
