Author: rgsind

The month of December was on and it was very cold in the forest. The animals and birds were worried. Winter seemed to be very severe this year. There were only a few days left for Christmas and preparations had to begin.

Tilu, the starling sitting on the tree asked, “Brother Goru, how is the preparation for the Christmas coming along?”

“It has not started as yet. Owing to the severe cold nothing could be arranged,” said Goru, the bear.

“It is always cold during Christmas, why are we afraid of it? We should start preparing for it,” said Tilu.

“It’s true. Christmas is a winter festival, then why are we afraid of the cold? Come let us start its preparation from today. Spread the news to everyone in the forest,” said Goru.

“Good, I will inform everyone,” said Tilu and flew off. She conveyed Goru’s message to most of the animals. The mere mention of Christmas spread a wave of happiness.

Harshilvan was known for it’s unique Christmas celebrations. Everyone helped and the idea was always new. The food and drinks were of different varieties and that is why Goru had informed everyone in advance. The plan was discussed in everyone’s house in the forest.

Tina, the doe was expert in making cakes, while Peelu, the peacock was good in making a Christmas tree. Every year they would decorate the tree in a new way and provide delicious cakes to eat. Some would sing and others dance.

As the festival approached the winter became more severe. Everyone was finding it difficult to work and was worried how they would celebrate Christmas this year.

Peelu made all arrangements to decorate the Christmas tree. He also chose the tree. It had to be fixed in the ground in front of the house. Everyone’s eyes were focused on the season. It was becoming colder.

Peelu and Goru fixed the Christmas tree two days before the festival. It was snowing on Christmas morning. No one went out in the snow. The birds sought shelter in their nests.

A thick blanket of snow was spread out everywhere. The plants and trees were covered with snow. Goru did not like to sit at home on a festival. He came out of his house as he could not stay in any longer and called out to all his friends. They wished each other a Merry Christmas. “How will we celebrate Christmas this year?” Teju, the monkey asked. “The Christmas tree is completely covered with snow,” said Tinku, the jackal. “What difference does it make? Are you all ready to celebrate Christmas?” Goru asked.

“Yes! All of us are ready.” Everyone replied in unison.

“You know we celebrate Christmas in a different way every year. This time the snow has given us this opportunity to do something unique,” said

“We have not understood what you said? they asked.”

“Together we will make a Christmas tree of snow,” explained Goru.

“That is a good idea,” said Tinku.

“But how will a tree be made out of snow? We can gather snow and make a mound but not a tree,” said Teju.

“You make a mound and we will change it into a tree,” Goru said. The others could not understand anything that has been told. The branch that had been fixed for the Christmas tree two days ago was now completely covered with snow, and it was still snowing. Everyone helped in gathering the snow and heaped it up to form a mound.

“Make it as high as possible,” said Goru.

All of them made it as high as they could. Meanwhile, all the animals came there. On the instructions of Goru, Teju brought Honey, the horse. Goru explained something which made Teju happy. He climbed up a branch and shaped the mound into a Christmas tree. He cut the pile of snow and gave it the shape of a tree.

“Wow! This is a beautiful snow tree,” exclaimed Chutki, the doe.

“But how will we decorate it?” asked Tinku.

“It can be decorated with plastic flowers and toys,” said Goru.

“Come let us tell Peelu,” said Teju.

“But he cannot come here,” Honey said.

“But why?”

“His feathers will get wet”.

“Their feathers get wet in the rain, not in snow,” explained Goru. Besides their feathers are so slippery that neither snow nor rain can stay on them…”

Peelu joined them within a few moments. Following his example, many birds came out of their nests. All of them decorated the tree with great enthusiasm. The bright white Christmas tree looked very beautiful.

The animals of the forest assembled to celebrate Christmas even in the snow. Everyone was happy. They had not imagined celebrating Christmas in this manner. By then Tina had also come there with the cake.

“Tina, what have you made this time?”

“Look at it!” said Tina and opened the box. It was filled with cakes in the form of small round white balls. Everyone enjoyed eating them. Then all of them made snowballs and hit each other with them. They had never enjoyed so much in the snow before.

Everyone celebrated Christmas together, sang songs and danced. No one felt the cold, but they were filled with the warmth of the festivities. Christmas was being celebrated by all.

It was very cold outside, but everyone’s face was lit with happiness. It was Christmas!

There was a lot of hustle and bustle at Lucy’s house. Lucy had a box full of toys. At night everyone at home wished each other ‘Merry Christmas.

At midnight there were a few soft whispers from the toy box. A red coloured toy train came out and said, “I am going out for a trip around the house for Christmas. If anyone wants a ride, he can take a ticket and get into the compartment.” Mickey, the puppy became the conductor of the train. He wore a black coat and stood outside the compartment blowing his whistle.

Sweety, the sparrow came out from the midst of the toys and said, “A ride through the house on the Christmas train! This is a good idea.” She flew over and settled near Mickey.

“Mickey, give me a ticket,” she said.

She took the ticket and took her seat.

Rob, the elephant’s sleep was disturbed on hearing the chatter. “Are you all going somewhere?”

“Yes, we are taking a ride on the Christmas train. But you will need two tickets, in order to get on the train.” Sweety laughed and said.

“Sweety you should not say such things. My compartments are so big that Rob can easily fit in them,” the train boasted.

Rob was happy to hear this. He immediately adjusted his specs and went to Mickey. The puppy felt like teasing Rob. He said, “If the train does not start then you will have to get down and push it.”

“Hey! Why will I have to push it alone? Everyone will get down and push it,” he said. He entered the train and took the back seat. He felt very sleepy.

Harsha, the cow, Soni, the ant, Pia, the squirrel, Cherry, the mouse, Bantu, the monkey all boarded the train the same way. The train had just started when Lottu, the fox boarded the train.

Everyone was frightened when they saw him because he was wicked.

“Eh Sweety! Move from here, otherwise, beware” he said.

“Why should I move? I have a ticket and I sat here first, therefore no one can move me from here” said Sweety.

“How dare you defy me!” Lottu said angrily, he pulled Sweety’s feather. She cried out in pain.

“That is hooliganism Lottu. You should be ashamed.” Harsha, the cow said in anger. “Since you came in last, you get the last remaining seat.”

The fox, however, did not listen.

Baring his teeth, he said, “You stop your nonsense or I will bite off your tail.” The animals sat down quietly. The speed of the train increased. It was going to the garden through the kitchen. All the animals had got into the train comfortably, but their fun was ruined because of the fox. Rob was sleeping snugly, unaware of all that was going.

Suddenly Bantu had an idea. He went to Lottu.

“Leave this seat. This is my friend’s place. He will crush you if he gets angry,” threatened the monkey.

The fox was angry. “Let him come! Where is he?” asked the fox.

“He is sleeping in the back seat.”

It was dark at the back. Agitated Lottu went there and without seeing Rob he sank his teeth in his body. However, due to the elephant’s thick skin, his teeth broke. Rob woke up from his deep slumber. He was very angry at being roused from his sleep. Before Lottu realised anything, he wrapped the fox with his snout and threw him out of the train.

There was a pool in the garden filled with water. Lottu fell in it.

“This was fun.” All the animals shouted together. There was a Christmas tree in the garden with colourful lights on its leaves.

“What a sight,” Rob uttered unexpectedly. “I slept off in vain.”

“How would we have gotten rid of the fox if you had not slept?” Bantu said, and all the animals started laughing celebrating the Christmas spirit.