Daily Cascade

The Little Fir Tree

Prompt: Christmas Tree

Christmas trees are like a blank page, tell us how you're going to decorate yours. Do you do a theme? Do you put up just family mementoes, maybe a mixture of store bought and homemade? Lights or no lights..

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My son is coming from NY next month, and I won't have a Christmas tree. This is because, for a very long time, we didn't have Christmas trees. Both my sons and my late husband, as much as they respected tradition, felt that live trees were abused during Christmas time. For us, fake trees were out, also. Fake just wouldn't do it! So we didn't have them, but when the kids were little, we picked up any fallen tree limb and decorated that, so the boys wouldn't feel shortchanged.

So here is a Christmas Tree story instead.

The Little Fir Tree

The tiny fir tree in the forest dreamt of becoming a Christmas tree. "Why am I so small and scrubby? I can't be what I want to be,"he sighed.

The owl that had perched on a branch on a nearby tree said, "Your size is not what matters. You can still be what you want to be in your heart and spirit."

The little fir tree knew the owl was a wise one and took the owl's words to heart, and stood up straight and proud, realizing even though he was small, he still could be a very special Christmas tree.

Sure enough, a kind-looking man pushing a large cart came into the forest, searching for a small tree. When he saw this little one, a warm smile spread over his face. "This tiny tree," he muttered, "will be the perfect Christmas tree for me for years to come."

So he carefully dug up the little tree, keeping all his roots intact, and placed him in his large cart. When this man and the little fir tree got home, the man planted the little fir in his backyard, and then, decorated him with popcorn, apples, tinsel, and a shiny star at his top. The little fir tree swung gently left and right, feeling so proud and happy.

That night, the man's granddaughter came to visit. When she saw the little decorated tree in the yard, her eyes widened with delight. "Oh, what a beautiful Christmas Tree!" she exclaimed.

The little tree sparkled and twinkled. Not only his dreams had come true, but also he had brought so much joy to a little girl and he knew he would continue to bring happiness to people as long as he lived.

After all, isn't it true that this is what Christmas is all about?