Theme: Christmas

Merry Christmas

Christmas was coming and the animals from the forest were getting ready for this big party. Every day, Fred the bear went through the forest looking for decorations, fruits, nuts, and everything he could use to decorate his house and prepare a delicious dinner.

He wanted his house to be the most beautiful in the entire forest. So, when he found some colored leaves that he could use to make a pretty ornament, he would rush to get them all.

He didn't want anything left over, so the other animals wouldn't imitate his decorations.

One day, the squirrel asked for some of the nuts that Fred was carrying in his big paws, but he wouldn't give him any, saying he would need them all.

The same thing happened with the apples. Fred picked several shiny red apples, thinking to decorate his table. The hedgehog, knowing he wasn't going to reach the highest branches of the apple tree, asked Fred for help to pick some, but Fred pretended didn't hear and left, carrying the beautiful apples.

Mrs. Duck, passing by Fred's house one day, noticed the beautiful decoration and praised:

- Wow, Fred, your house looks beautiful. Congratulations! You are very tidy.

- Thank you, Mrs. Duck! It's just that I give a lot of importance to Christmas - he said, conceited. - I prepare myself the best as I can for this big day!

- What a good time of the year, isn't it? I also really like it! It's the best time of year for me! I love getting the family together, sending affectionate messages to my friends and walking through the woods wishing “Merry Christmas” to anyone I see. My heart is filled with joy! declared Mrs. Duck, with a contented smile.

Fred found those words odd. He didn't know that way of experiencing the Christmas season. So, he didn't say anything, and Mrs. Duck continued:

- And I also really like it when we, from the forest aid group, go to the house of someone who is sick or in need of something and we take donations. They are magical moments. Not to mention the Christmas songs, which I love too. There are so many good things about this time, isn't there, Fred? Christmas, for me, is love and happiness - she said, touched.

Fred didn't know what to say. Mrs. Duck then said goodbye, hugging him and affectionately wishing him a Merry Christmas.

Fred entered his house and noticed that it was really beautiful. But despite this, he felt dissatisfied and contemplative.

He hadn't arranged to spend Christmas with anyone. Not with family or friends. He didn't usually hug or wish each other Merry Christmas. Much less make donations or share what he had with needy people.

For him, Christmas was not the same as love and happiness, as for Mrs. Duck. To tell the truth, it was a somewhat stressful time, as he worked a lot and was still worried if someone was going to get more decorations or food than him.

In the days that followed, the bear then began to pay more attention to the behavior of other animals and their feelings as well. Fred began to realize that spending Christmas the way he's been doing it hasn´t been all that great. After a while, he understood what was going on.

- I already know what I need to improve! I've been preparing myself just for material Christmas, with delicious food, pretty decorations, and gifts for myself. But I also miss experiencing the spiritual Christmas! That's what Mrs. Duck does and that's why she's so happy - said the bear excitedly.

After that, Fred went out into the woods in a different mood. He started to greet everyone with a smile and with wishes of Merry Christmas, he started to help the small animals to collect food and ornaments. And even he taught Armadillo how to make a beautiful arrangement to decorate his burrow too.

The other animals were grateful and returned Fred's kindness. In a few days, the bear made many friends.

On Christmas Day, Fred was not alone. Several animals went to his house to visit him, hug him and some even brought him gifts.

Then he remembered, with gratitude, Mrs. Duck. He went to her house, which was full of friends and family. He gave her a hug, lifted her off the ground, and spun her around in the air. But with affection and care, so as not to hurt his friend, who was much smaller than him.

Mrs. Duck liked and laughed at the bear's play. Fred greeted everyone, chatted, sang, ate a little and went home very happy.

Fred felt great. That year he had a really merry Christmas.

Translation:
Larissa Martine - larissa_am@hotmail.com

marcelapradacontato@gmail.com