📖 STORY TIME
Ellie, the little squirrel of The Berry Burrow, was rushing around as fast as she could, gathering all of her favorite and best pinecone ornaments. She had been working on them for weeks so they would be ready for the Big Tree Lighting.
She was rushing so fast that she tripped over her tail and tumbled into a pile of blankets on the floor. Grandpa chuckled and helped untangle her from the mess she had gotten herself into.
As he pulled the blanket off of her head, Ellie's eyes were sparkling and she smiled bigger than she ever had. She felt as if she might burst.
"Tomorrow is THE day! The day that everyone in the forest comes out and we decorate the Big Tree with the special lights and decorations. The forest will be full of light. It's my favorite day of the whole year!" Ellie squealed in delight.
"So it is, little Ellie. A big day indeed," said Grandpa. "And you know, big days call for a big rest. We'd better get you tucked into bed and off to dreamland, so tomorrow can come even faster."
Ellie's eyes widened. "You're right, Grandpa! The sooner I go to bed, the sooner it will be tomorrow. Yippee! Goodnight, Grandpa. I love you!"
"I love you too, my little light, more than you know."
The next day, Ellie woke up before the sun. She could hardly contain her excitement as she wrapped her scarf around her neck snug and warm, grabbed her basket of pinecones, and skipped off toward the gathering place right where the Big Tree would be waiting for her.
After today, she knew, the Big Tree's lights would sparkle all season long. Ellie always felt the lights brought a special warmth and happiness that made the whole season glow.
As Ellie scampered down the pathway past the big oak tree and into the gathering place, she called out, "I'm here!"
But the meadow was quiet. There was no Badger with his ladder, no Bunny with her ribbons, and no Hedgehog humming carols.
She walked around to the back of the tree. The string of lights was lying tangled on the ground, and it barely had a flicker of light.
"Maybe they're just running late," Ellie said. So she bounded off to gather her friends herself. She knew they wouldn't want to miss this big day!
She knocked on every door in the forest, but, to her surprise and disappointment, everyone was too busy.
"Sorry, Ellie, I'm wrapping presents."
"Not today, I'm baking for my party."
"I'm much too busy getting ready for Christmas!"
By the time Ellie trudged home, her basket felt heavier than when she'd started. Grandpa opened the door and saw the tears in her eyes. She climbed into his lap and sniffled.
"What's wrong, little Ellie? You were so excited for today."
"The lights won't work, and nobody came."
Grandpa was quiet for a long moment. Then he said softly, "I remember a year just like this one. The forest didn't feel very friendly or warm. Everyone was so busy worrying about their own gifts that they forgot to stop and see what their neighbors really needed. That was the year the Big Tree stayed dark."
"But why?" asked Ellie.
"Because those lights are magic," said Grandpa. "They only shine when we share the light that's in our hearts."
Ellie scrunched up her nose. "Isn't Christmas about gifts?"
"Yes," Grandpa laughed, "and no. The most meaningful gifts aren't the ones you can see with your eyes or hold in your paws. They're the gifts that come from the heart and touch someone else's. And when hearts are filled, the lights turn on."
Ellie suddenly perked up. A little idea was twinkling inside her, growing brighter by the second.
"Then I'll fill every heart in the forest," she said. "And this year, the Big Tree is going to shine brighter than it ever has before! Just you wait, Grandpa. This will be the best year yet!"
Grandpa smiled warmly. "I believe it will, Ellie. I believe it will."
Just then, a small, warm glow bobbed up to the window. It was Milo, Ellie's tiny mouse friend, holding his glowing lantern.
Milo's lantern was very special. Long ago, it had belonged to his grandma's grandpa. When Grandma gave it to Milo, she whispered, "Keep a kind heart, little one, and this lantern will always light your way." Milo was the tiniest mouse in The Berry Burrow, but he had the biggest heart, and whenever he helped someone, his lantern glowed warm and bright.
"Hi, Ellie! I heard what you said," he squeaked. "Can I help?"
Ellie grinned. "Hooray, Milo! You came just in time! We are going to fill this entire forest with the light in our hearts."
And so it began: one heart, one light, one day at a time.
Now it's your turn! Every day, share your light and watch the Big Tree glow!