Northern Dancer
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The Slucker Tree
A Short Story told by Northern Dancer
for Children
1979
And it went like this...
Many years ago in a far-off place, there was a community of little people who lived in a secret part of a forest. They worked very hard throughout the year and Christmas was the only opportunity for everyone to take time off for a holiday and to celebrate the special time of year.
Each little home was adorned and decorated with the finest decorations the dads and sons made. Moms and daughters baked small cakes and tiny cookies embellished with colourful designs. Grandmas made pumpkin, and apple pies, and mincemeat tarts for all. Everyone, young and old, contributed to the festive holiday.
The air was filled with the aroma of cinnamon, peppermint patties, and pine from freshly cut Christmas trees. Trees were decked with tinsel, and ornaments of every kind, with bright lights that glowed in the dark. There were gigantic stars at the top of the trees and candy canes on every limb and every home became a magical peaceful place.
The whole community gathered on Christmas Eve in their tiny little church to sing the ancient carols and celebrate the Saviour's birth. And after the service, they would exchange their cookies and cakes and wished one another a blessed Christmas and New Year.
With lots of smiles, chuckles, and laughter too, they would gather around the Slucker tree in the middle of the old village square. It was the biggest pine tree in all the forest that towered into the skies like the little steeple of their parish church. The children loved it because they knew if it snowed, come morning, it would be loaded from head to toe with goodies for everyone to share.
Before the children went to bed that night they looked out the kitchen window at the little tiny tree in the backyard to see if there was any snow. Without seeing any, they quietly said good night and off to bed, they went to dream.
POST SCRIPT
Snow was in the forecast that night. So when I was assured that the children were soundly asleep I went out and decorated the Slucker tree with candy canes, and chocolate bars, and cookies. Come morning the tree was fully dressed with goodies hanging from every branch and there were five inches of newly fallen snow surrounding the little tree. Not a human footprint or disturbance could be seen other than the prints of rabbits and birds. It was a magical moment for all.
Happy Christmas Everyone - whatever that might mean to you.