| Children Fiction posted December 19, 2024 |
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When lonliness turns to a Celebration
Christmas With The Animals
by Begin Again
This is a two-part story......PART 1
With its soaring ceilings and elegant Christmas decorations, the grand house seemed empty to eight-year-old Rosie. The flickering lights on the massive tree cast a warm glow over the room, but it didn't make the house feel any less cold. Silver and gold ornaments were hanging from every surface, the scent of pine filled the air, and soft music was playing from a distant room. But Rosie's heart was heavy, weighed down by the absence of the one person she longed for most — her father.
She arranged her stuffed animals neatly around her bed, their tiny eyes staring back at her as she lay beneath the covers, trying to distract herself from the sadness creeping in. These were not just toys to Rosie. They were her companions, confidants, and solace in times of loneliness.
Miss Anna, the nanny, had tucked her in with soft, reassuring words, but they didn't ease the emptiness Rosie felt. The only sounds were the crackling of the fire in the hearth and the soft rustle of the night wind outside.
"Miss Anna," Rosie said, her tiny voice breaking the quiet, "there are only three more days until Christmas."
"Yes, dear," Miss Anna replied, gently smoothing the blanket over Rosie's shoulders. "Are you excited for it to be here?"
Rosie sighed, turning her head toward the window, her thoughts far away. "Not really. It won't be the same. Daddy and I have always celebrated together since Mommy has been gone."
Anna's hand paused, and she looked down at Rosie with soft, understanding eyes. "You know your Daddy feels bad about not being here for Christmas, right? Sometimes grown-ups have to do things they'd rather not, but they can't help it."
"I know that, but it'll just be another day without anyone here."
Anna nodded, a wistful smile tugging at her lips as she tucked a strand of hair behind Rosie's ear. "You just have to believe, little one. Christmas is a time for miracles, and maybe, if you pray really hard, you'll get one." Her words carried a hopeful promise, a potential for a happy ending that Rosie desperately clung to.
Rosie's eyes widened slightly. "Do you think so, Miss Anna?"
The older woman sat on the edge of the bed, her eyes kind but serious. "When you say your prayers, you can tell the Lord how much you miss your daddy and hope he gets to come home."
"But Daddy says my prayers are to help the less fortunate."
"That's true, dear," Miss Anna said, brushing her fingers gently along Rosie's cheek. "But it never hurts to mention what you need to. After all, you are a little girl who needs help growing up."
Rosie turned her head toward the window again, looking at the twinkling lights. There was a glimmer of hope in her heart, a tiny spark that maybe, just maybe, things could be different this year. Christmas could bring her father home, after all.
*****
As Hank poured the freshly brewed coffee into his mug, he noticed Rosie standing by the window, looking at the newly fallen snow. "You look like you could use some company," he mumbled.
"I was just remembering how Daddy and I built a family of snowmen in the front yard last Christmas."
"Yeah, I remember that. I think I even gave you one of my scarves and an old cowboy hat."
"You did. Mrs. Darby gave us an apron and carrots for their noses."
Miss Anna chuckled as she entered the kitchen, overhearing the conversation. "Don't forget me. I helped, too."
Rosie laughed. "That's right, you did. You gave the child a school bag to hang on his arm."
"Even the snow people know how important it is to learn things." Miss Anna smiled, but seeing Rosie's sad face, she added, "But today, I hear Hank has a surprise for you."
Rosie turned, her eyes lighting up, and asked, "Are we going to the train station to get Daddy? Is that the surprise?"
Hank shrugged his shoulders and sighed. "I wish we could do that, but it's not in the cards, honey. Maybe we could go into the forest and find the perfect Christmas tree."
Rosie turned back to the window and sighed. "The house doesn't need another tree. It's already beautiful."
"Well then," Hank grinned, "what about the stables? The horses could use a little Christmas cheer, don't you think?"
Rosie's eyes lit up. "I'm not sure your persnickety thoroughbreds would care about the tree, but Jasper might. I think those horses look down on him because he's a mule."
Hank grinned. "Yeah, Jasper's an old codger, kinda set in his ways about things."
Rosie laughed. "Is that why he likes you so much? You two are two peas in a pod."
"Hey, you better watch it, kiddo. Santa isn't going to put anything under the tree for you."
A tear formed in the corner of Rosie's eye as she muttered, "All I want for Christmas is for Daddy to come home, and Santa can't do that for me."
Hank set his cup in the kitchen sink. "I've got to go check on the horses. Why don't you grab your coat and boots and come to the stables with me? I'm sure that stubborn old mule will be happy to see you." He started toward the door. "Grab an apple or some carrots from the fridge if you want. He'll be your best friend."
Rosie laughed. "He already likes me better than you. You're always hobnobbing with those snobby horses."
Hank chuckled. "Just doing my job."
*****
Rosie looped a strand of red and gold ribbon around the edge of Jasper's stall. "There. That looks nice, don't you think?" she asked.
Jasper snorted softly, stepping closer to inspect her work. With a sudden tug, he grabbed the end of the ribbon in his teeth and gave it a playful shake.
"Hey!" Rosie laughed, trying to wrestle it back. "You're not supposed to eat the decorations!"
Jasper paused as if considering her words, then dropped the ribbon and nudged her shoulder with his nose. His long ears flicked forward, and his big, soulful eyes locked on hers.
Rosie reached up to stroke his soft muzzle. "You're a rascal," she said with a smile, "but you're not so bad."
She leaned against the stall door, her voice growing softer, "It's been hard, you know. Without Mom, and now Dad's gone so much. Christmas just feels wrong."
Jasper stood perfectly still, his ears twitching as if he were listening.
"I guess you know what it's like to feel left out, huh?" Rosie said. "The horses are mean to you, but I think you're special."
Jasper gave a soft bray, and for a moment, Rosie could have sworn he smiled.
*****
Not far from the ranch, the forest animals were preparing for the biggest storm of the season.
Not far from the ranch, the forest animals were preparing for the biggest storm of the season.
A family of squirrels worked frantically to move their stash of acorns after the wind had toppled the hollow tree they called home.
"Quick, quick!" squeaked the smallest squirrel, tugging a nut twice his size across the snow. "We have to hurry before the snow covers everything!"
Nearby, a rabbit family hopped through the drifts, their tracks zigzagging wildly as they searched for a safe burrow.
"Keep up, Thistle!" the mother rabbit called to her youngest, who lagged behind.
"I'm coming!" Thistle cried, his tiny legs churning through the deep snow.
High in the branches, a wise old owl surveyed the scene, his amber eyes glinting. "This storm will test us all," he hooted softly, his breath clouding in the cold air.
Deeper in the woods, a young deer wandered alone. His coat was dull, and his steps were hesitant as he searched for shelter. He paused at a frozen stream, calling softly into the emptiness. "Mom?" His voice quivered. "Where are you?"
The wind picked up, carrying his call into the trees. There was no answer. The little deer tucked his nose into his chest, shivering.
The owl tilted his head, watching the deer. "Lost and alone," he murmured. "But perhaps not for long."
The following morning, the sky was dull gray, and the promise of snow was heavy in the air. Rosie bundled herself in her warmest coat and scarf. Hank was out in the stables, fixing loose boards before the storm hit, and the house staff was busy polishing silver for a Christmas dinner she wouldn't enjoy.
"I'm going for a walk," Rosie told Mrs. Darby, the cook, who waved her off with a floury hand.
The crisp forest air stung Rosie's cheeks as she wandered into the trees, her boots crunching through the frost. She carried a handful of birdseed and a carrot in her pocket, just in case she found her woodland friends.
She paused by a snow-dusted clearing and sprinkled the birdseed on a tree stump. Tiny sparrows flitted down at once, puffing their feathers against the cold.
"Looks like you're ready for Christmas," Rosie said softly.
A faint rustling in the distance caught her attention. She turned, scanning the shadows of the trees, and her breath caught when she saw a pair of dark, watchful eyes staring back at her.
A young deer stood at the edge of the clearing, his thin frame trembling. Rosie stayed perfectly still, afraid to startle him. Slowly, she crouched and held out the carrot.
"It's okay," she said gently. "I won't hurt you."
The deer hesitated, his ears twitching nervously. Then, as if deciding she was safe, he took a cautious step forward, his hooves crunching in the snow.
Rosie's heart swelled as he approached, his nose quivering as he sniffed the air. "You look so sad," she whispered, "Are you lost?"
The deer stopped a few feet away, staring at her with wide, liquid eyes.
Rosie reached out slowly, placing the carrot on the ground between them. "Here. It's not much, but it's all I have."
The deer lowered his head, his nose brushing the carrot. He took a tentative bite, then another.
Rosie smiled, her loneliness eased for the first time in days. "You're beautiful," she said. "Do you have a family?"
The deer looked up at her, and Rosie thought she saw a flicker of something — longing, maybe even sorrow — in his eyes.
"I don't have much of a family either," Rosie said softly. "Maybe we can be friends."
Above them, the wise owl perched silently on a branch, his keen eyes watching the scene unfold. "Connections are forming," he murmured. "The storm may yet bring something good."
The deer nibbled the rest of the carrot, and Rosie sat back on her heels, watching him. Though a little thin, his coat gleamed in the low light, and his movements were graceful, even in the deep snow.
"I'm Rosie," she said softly, feeling a strange comfort in talking to him. "What's your name?"
The deer paused and looked at her, his large brown eyes filled with a quiet sadness. It was as if he wanted to answer but didn't know how. Rosie's heart ached for him.
"Do you miss your mom?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
The deer blinked slowly, his gaze drifting toward the trees. Rosie could almost feel his sadness — how he longed for something just out of reach.
"I know how you feel," she said, wiping a tear from her cheek. "I miss my mom, too. And Christmas isn't the same without her."
The deer took another step toward her as if drawn to the warmth in her voice. Rosie extended her hand, and he sniffed her fingers, his soft breath warm against her skin.
"Maybe we can have Christmas together," she said, smiling at him. "Just you and me and the animals in the forest. I bet you'd like that, wouldn't you?"
The deer's ears perked up at her words. He took another cautious step forward, his body close enough that Rosie could feel the heat radiating off him. Then, as if something inside him had snapped, he suddenly turned and darted back toward the trees, his hooves kicking up the snow behind him.
"No, wait!" Rosie called out, standing quickly. She wanted to call him back, but the deer had already gone into the forest's shadows.
*****
Later, Rosie joined Jasper in the stables, wanting someone to talk to and knowing he'd listen.
"You'd probably run off, too, if I talked to you about my feelings all the time," Rosie said, giving Jasper a little laugh. "But maybe you'd understand. I met a deer today. He's lost. He thinks his mother's gone, and he's all alone."
Jasper gave a soft snort as if agreeing and gently pushed Rosie toward the hay bales, inviting her to sit.
"I told him he could stay with me," Rosie said, her voice heavy. "But he ran away. I guess he didn't trust me."
Jasper nudged her gently with his nose as if urging her to get to the point.
"I just want to help someone," Rosie said, letting out a long sigh. "But it feels like no one needs me. Maybe I'm just too lonely."
Jasper rested his head on her shoulder, and she felt his warmth seeping into her. Rosie smiled softly. "I guess I'm not alone after all, huh?"
With Jasper's comforting presence and the quiet rustling of the barn, she thought back to the forest as she sat there. Lost and alone, the deer reminded her of how she felt sometimes. But there was still hope. If she could find a way to help him, maybe she'd find a way to help herself, too.
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