The Little Christmas Tree

The Storyteller Mumbai
12 minutes ago
3 min read

The Little Christmas Tree

by Shukrita Sankaran

Note from the author:

Children sometimes struggle with self-confidence, self-belief and purpose. Through this gentle Christmas story, we take the child on a journey towards acceptance of oneself and of their role in the world in the larger scheme of things. And that giving joy to another can be the greatest gift you give your own self.

Once upon a time there was a tiny little Christmas tree named Piney in a Christmas tree farm. This little Christmas tree was very very small. When she looked at the other Christmas trees which were tall and blooming, she felt a little sad. “When will I grow up?" she asked.

It was nearing Christmas time, and all the people from the nearby Snowway village were coming to the farm to pick their favourite christmas tree. The trees stood tall and were proud of their green coat as they sparkled and shone under the midday sun.

Piney saw all this and thought, “Nobody wants me, nobody needs me. I will remain on the farm this year and maybe the next and the next year, until I become that tall”. She started to cry: “Nobody nobody nobody wants, a little tree like me, I will stay here forever, Oh poor me”.

Just then she heard a slight rustling behind her. She swayed a bit and looked around. “Hi Piney, how are you doing?, asked granny Mousie Mou.

Now everybody at the farm knew granny Mousie Mou. She was the softest, furriest mouse with kindness in her eyes. Piney knew she could tell her the truth. “I feel unwanted granny Mou”, she said. “Everybody will leave the farm, except me and nobody is even wanting to look at me”.

Mousie Mou lowered her spectacles and looked at Piney with affection. “Oh dear Piney, never underestimate yourself or the joy that you can bring to another. Wait for the Christmas miracle, as you never know what could happen! Don’t lose hope dear Piney”. And saying that she vanished under the hole near the shed.

Piney again started to cry: “Nobody, nobody.. nobody wants, a little tree like me, I will stay here forever, Oh poor me”.

Piney sighed. Days passed and the snow fell gently over the farm, making everything look magical. That night Piney looked at the moon and the shimmering tall pine trees that glistened in the moonlight and prayed for her Christmas miracle.

The next day, floods of families came to the farm, each one excited to choose a tree of their choice. Piney looked around with awe. “Someday someone would want me too”, she thought, and Piney went to sleep.

A few days later, it became very cold and the winds howled through the branches of the tall fir trees. It was an impossible day to be outside , therefore the Christmas tree farm was strangely quiet. Just then a yellow van came hobbling around to the farm. It moved ever so slowly just making it to the gate. A family of three stepped out. A graceful young lady and a tall man who was holding a young child in his arms. The girl looked around five years old. She has the most lovely golden curls that could be seen hanging over her shoulders.

They walked into the farm looking around intently at the fir trees. Suddenly Piney felt someone touching her leaf. She opened her eyes and Lo, she saw a young girl standing with her parents.

“Mamma, can we take this one?” the girl asked her mother. Piney waited with bated breath. The girl's parents looked at each other and smiled. “Yes dear, we can take this one, this tree is just as tall as you are!”

Piney felt like she would explode and jump out of the soil that very moment. All her tiny roots shook with glee.

The next day Piney woke up to a pink colored bedroom with a beautiful golden curly haired girl sleeping soundly on the bed near her. There was a mirror right opposite Piney and when she looked at it she gasped. Piney was decorated with silver bells and baubles of different colours. There were also white feathery angels and mini stockings along with ribbons strung around. And the best part was the topper which was a shining red star. Piney felt like a showstopper.

And then she began to sing:

I am tiny , but I am fine, I bring happiness to the little one

I am tiny , but I am fine, I thank this loving home a ton!

From that day onwards, Piney never felt sorry for herself. She knew that however large or small you are, you can bring happiness to another being. So she held her branch high and became the closest friend to the golden haired girl of Snowway Village.