None of the woodland dwellers had to think twice about Mother Mirth’s breakfast invitation. The dawn had hardly begun to light the sky as they headed toward the clearing beside the elves’ house. And what a sight greeted them when they arrived!
All the forest mothers had sent breakfast treats and Mother Elf and Mother Mirth were setting them out on long tables. Beautiful garlands of pine, fir, cedar and spruce decorated each one, and each one held a bouquet of mixed evergreens and holly. It was all so beautiful!
The Spirits of Fun were singing to the music that Matthew Mirth played on his horn, and the mood of excitement was growing in the clearing with every new arrival.
“Welcome! Welcome!” Mother Elf called to the woodland dwellers as they filed in. “Help yourself to some hot wintergreen tea while we wait for the King. It won’t be long now.”
When the sun rose over the woodland’s eastern slopes, a hush fell over the crowd. Everybody found a seat and watched with wide eyes as the landing platform began its vibration. The crowd vibrated right along with it. And when it suddenly stopped and a shower of golden stars began to tumble all around them, they stood and cheered. Matthew Mirth played a royal greeting on his horn.
And then, from the star-spangled darkness, a shiny strand of red and gold berries stretched down, and they watched in suspense as a small, furry critter of some kind slid down its length, wearing an elegant green coat and a bright golden crown.
The elves burst into laughter at the sight of him and began rolling on the ground holding their sides as if someone had just told them the funniest joke in the world.
The Elf King stepped onto the platform from his rope of berries, spread his arms wide, and bowed to the woodland dwellers. “Hello,” he said, in a warm and gentle voice. His furry face wore a look of tender kindness, the likes of which none had ever seen before.
The woodland dwellers just blinked and stared for a moment. They hadn’t known what to expect, but all of them thought the Elf King would be far larger, and that he would probably look like the woodland elves. This little Elf King took them quite by surprise.
Finally, Teddy, the eldest elf, broke the silence. “Hey, Little Elf King! Welcome!” he said, leaping onto the platform and shaking the Elf King’s paw. “We’re so honored that you have come!” And the crowd, awakened from their surprise, started clapping and singing, “Welcome! Welcome!”
Mikey Mirth stepped onto the platform and handed the King a microphone. The King smiled and thanked him.
“Greetings, my friends,” he said in his gentle voice. “And thank you for your warm welcome! It’s my special pleasure to be here in your woodland for the Festival of Light this year.
“As you may know, the Spirits of Fun and I visit a different woodland every year to honor its local elves for their joyous and loyal service. And I have received reports that your elves are among the finest in the world.”
The crowd stood again and cheered.
“They are the servants of the seasons, helping buds to open, and painting the flowers and leaves with their colors. They carry dew drops to the blades of grass in the springtime and lead mother birds to the finest materials for their nests. They sing to the crops in summer and play with the hard-working bees. They direct traffic for the ants and help them find their way when they have gone astray. They decorate the forest’s floor and hang fungus on the trees. They paint the leaves in autumn. And they love their work, and sing with merriment every single hour of the day. Aren’t they grand!”
Once again, the crowd rose and cheered.
“Elves live all over the world. They come in different colors and forms. But everywhere, they are known for their industry, humor and playfulness. They remind us that life is a celebration—every day of it.
“I am proud to be their king, and happy that my most important duty is to tell them that we see their work and adore their joy and believe with all our hearts that life wouldn’t be the same without them.
“Thank you, woodland elves, for all that you do,” the King said, bowing deeply.
And the crowd roared in agreement, laughing and clapping until the King held up his hand. “You are wonderful members of a beautiful woodland community,” he said. “Now let’s all have some breakfast and you can show me around.”
And that is exactly what they did.