Snowflake Falls
day!
The young reindeer would wait until her dad and mum, Comet and Vixen, came home
to the stable, and she was going to calmly explain how unhappy she was.
before, (more like every other day), but each time her bad mood had gotten the
better of her and she’d wound up arguing with her parents. Each time they had
told her she wasn’t old enough…not mature enough…to be going out on her own.
their words.
that meant…but just the same she didn’t like the sound of it!
months old!!
fun…excitement….maybe even friends could be hers to enjoy if she was free to
explore the world outside Santa’s Village.
and dad how bored and lonely I am…how
I need some friends…surely they’ll see how much I’ve changed…how much more ‘mature’ I am now…whatever that means! I’ll wait for them to come home…and then I’ll show them.
planned out!
laid plans can fall apart.
Snowflake Falls
they didn’t know. Fawn slipped and hurt her injured leg. It began to throb and
hurt a great deal. Walking on it was becoming more painful with every step she
took.
wet, and very slippery. Bunny fell off again, and again, and again. Try as she
might, it became much too difficult for her to stay on for very long.
the look of fear and frustration in her eyes.
by the scruff of her neck. She carried her that way, as they struggled through
the cold, biting wind and drifting snow.
watched as her leg bandage came undone. Then, it went flying off in the wind.
She saw it bounce into a drift or two. Then, it disappeared in the dizzying
whiteness of snow, which blew like a hurricane around them.
that!” answered Fawn, doing her best not to drop Bunny as she called out.
“Right now…a bandage coming off is the least of my worries!”
shouting at her, taunting her, “Is this
enough excitement for you?! Do you
still not care how dangerous it is?”
kid! I was bored! Sometimes kids say stupid things! Sometimes kids say things
they don’t mean!”
once said, cannot be unsaid. She tried her best to shut out the voice. She had
enough trouble at the moment.
s-s-sorry Fawn!!”
to hold onto Bunny.
clues! I made you break your promise. Now…we’re probably going to die in this
blizzard.”
Fawn scolded her, “Stop that! Don’t talk like that! Don’t even think like that!
Everything is going to be fine! Just remember…together…until the last snowflake
faaallll—”
teeth, Fawn was tumbling down a steep slope. Head over hooves she rolled and
rolled. She never lost her grip on her little friend until they came to an
abrupt stop at the bottom of the hill. Bunny flew from her mouth, up into the
snowy air.
and then suddenly Fawn felt something land on her belly. It was Bunny! But, she
wasn’t moving! She just lay there…silent and motionless.
me! Bunny!!”
on her friend. The sound of her voice was lost in the roaring winds. Tears
rolled down her cheeks, as she looked at Bunny lying helplessly on her belly.
tears.
could hear voices…but couldn’t make out who they were
Snowman?
stay awake any longer.
Ona Pendulum
very moment…something very strange occurred.
suddenly became motionless, and their faces appeared in energized broken
patterns…almost like shattered, electrified pieces of glass. Every angle of the
fractured pattern sputtered and flashed likenesses of them……but each one
different. In some they looked younger…and in others, older…….and older still.
Snowboy and Doctor Weather were all quite surprised and taken aback. They had
absolutely no idea what was happening…or what they should do. The only choice
they had was to stand there powerlessly watching.
suddenly as it began, it stopped.
overwhelmed, everyone just stood there…watching Santa and Wajic.
alright?” asked Fawn.
fine.” Santa answered. He noticed the concerned looks on everyone’s face, and
added, “Why do you ask?”
explained, “Well…something just happened a moment ago. Very odd! You didn’t
notice? You didn’t feel anything?”
his arms and yawned.
it…I am a little tired all of a sudden.”
gloved hand up to cover his mouth, as he also yawned.
That’s very strange! What was it you saw?”
Snowboy and Doctor Weather gave them the details of what they’d seen, and with
each piece of information, Wajic looked more and more worried.
friend?”
sure, Kris. It could be nothing…or….it could be something! When we get back to
the Village, I’ll head to my workshop and look into it.”
second time, Santa said, “Let’s just hope it’s nothing serious.”
Ona Pendulum
reindeer’s chest suddenly felt tight, and she felt she might faint as she saw a
faint gasp of air escape Bunny’s lips. And then, her little chest stopped
moving.
Bunny! Don’t…………..leave me!”
as she crawled across the dirt floor of the cavern to Barney and Bert.
not—”
when she saw Barney and Bert were no longer breathing, as well.
and huge teardrops fell from her big doe eyes. Her heart was palpitating and
she was quivering. She couldn’t believe it could end this way.
like this! This isn’t fair! How could we make it this far…only to lose anyway?
side and her body literally trembled as a flood of unstoppable tears began to
fall.
bright glow emanated from the area of the throne. Though her vision was blurred
from her tears, Fawn managed to get to her feet and peered toward the light as
an apparition slowly came into view. Ever-so-gradually it became clearer and
clearer until she recognized who it was.
rather transparent, and more of an outline than a true semblance of himself, he
was undeniably Atch. He casually walked toward Fawn, smiling warmly and holding
out his hand. As he neared her, he reached out and stroked her head.
and kindly, in his high-pitched voice.
little one. Help is on the way this very moment.”
tears, Fawn blurted, “But….it’s….too……….late!”
Have faith! But…you’ll need to remember one word.”
perked up, and she looked at him quizzically.
word?”
impishly at her and answered, “Yes….just one word. Vita.”
it?”
And Yet So Near
eh?” Doctor Weather called out to Foddle.
off Hutch that probably measured a couple of inches thick.
flicked snow off his beard and face.
have known?”
shouted angrily at Snowboy, “A little snow never hurt anybody! Isn’t that what
you said?”
except, “I’m sorry! Really! I am!”
and then blurted out, “Hey! I think I’m getting bigger again!”
“Stop that!!”
difficult for anyone to even see the end of the dog teams.
off herself as best she could, and shook her head disgustedly.
Pass…a Bridge with a mind of its own…playing ‘catch-up’ with a bunch of
wandering reindeer…and now a heavy snowfall! What’s next? An earthquake?!”
eyes as she looked at her friend.
When folks say ‘Things could be worse!’…you’re
not supposed to help things get that way!”
And Yet So Near
day, and had just finished her fourth game of checkers with Fawn.
more….to see who the winner is?”
spirits and accepted the challenge.
and was just putting the last checkers in place when she suddenly turned her
head thoughtfully toward Fawn. Her emotions came to the fore, as they silently
sat looking at one another, and a single teardrop escaped her eye to run down
her cheek.
almost pleading, she said, “Don’t forget me.”
of breath, and she blinked a few times. She knew what Camilla was doing…what
she was saying…and she didn’t want to hear it. She would rather have been
cooped up in her stable stall all day than have to face the fact her friend was
dying. She’d rather be anywhere else, than here….by Camilla’s bedside….having
this conversation.
eight weeks she’d been at the Fleming’s home, Fawn had never seen one friend
come to call on Camilla. She didn’t know the reason why…but for some reason,
this charming little girl was friendless…save for her.
her head against her arm. Then she stepped back…unsure of what to say or do.
would Mum or Dad say?
I have forgotten how to breathe.”
that…close enough to feel each other’s love…and far enough away to not break
down and cry. Camilla’s tired eyes glistened with tears, and she bit down on
her bottom lip, as she beckoned Fawn nearer. All the reindeer could think of
doing was lay her head in her friend’s lap, and just feel her presence.
at the North Pole and I have a saying. It always seemed rather cute and
charming before. But now…it hurts me so when I think of the words.”
“What is this saying you and your friends have?”
she broke down in tears, and she tried her best to fight the urge to do the
same.
saying. It really means that you’ll love each other forever.”
Camilla’s eyes.
have a place in my heart….until the very last snowflake falls. And ever after
as well!”
whispered, “Thank you.”
Roberta handed a clean handkerchief to Mrs. Fleming, holding one back for
herself. Then, they quietly stepped back from the doorway, leaned against the
corridor wall and cried.