Peace on Earth
Once upon a time, there were two
young cousins named Molly and Hudson, and their dog, a beagle named Daisy.
It was two days before Christmas and
school was on vacation. The three of them were in the backyard building a
snowman with their friends, Stephen the gnome and Amelia the fairy. Hudson and Molly,
dressed in their warmest clothes, lifted the snowman’s head on top of his
shoulders. Stephen, wearing a fetching scarf and his fancy hat with the feather,
placed pieces of coal on the snowman’s chest. Amelia, wore a pretty green dress
with white fur around the hem, her arms, and her wings. She flapped her wings so
fast they buzzed as she flew around the Snowman’s head, tying a scarf around
his neck. Daisy lopped through the snow with a carrot in her mouth so they
could give the snowman a nose.
Once they were finished they stood
back and smiled at their hard work.
“He looks happy.” Said Molly.
“He’s a lot taller than the one we
built last year.” Said Hudson.
“Woof.” Said Daisy.
“Again, I’m sorry I forgot his hat at
home.” Said Stephen.
“You can bring it tonight, for the
sleepover.” Said Amelia.
Stephen agreed and everyone was
happy.
Hudson’s mother came to the backdoor
and called to Molly, Hudson, and Daisy. It was time to go inside and get some
coco.
“Can you come in too?” Molly asked
Stephen and Amelia.
“Please.” Said Hudson. “My Mom made
her special honey cookies that you like.”
Stephen and Amelia thought about the
offer.
“Woof.” Said Daisy.
“You’re right Daisy.” Said Stephen,
who like all gnomes was fluent in dog. “We have to go to our homes to prepare
for a visit from the Christmas Werewolves.”
“Oh my. That is tonight.” Said
Amelia, her wings fluttering a little faster.
“What are Christmas werewolves?”
Asked Hudson.
“I don’t think I’d like to meet
werewolves.” Said Molly. “Even if they are Christmas werewolves.”
“It’s okay.” Said Stephen. “Christmas
Werewolves are friendly.”
“It’s all a part of the peace
accords.” Said Amelia.
“What peace accords?” Asked Hudson.
“Unlike today, where you two and
Daisy are good friends.” Said Stephen. “There was a time when man and beast
were at war.”
“Was it a bad war?” Asked Molly.
“There is seldom a good one.” Said
Amelia. “Though truthfully, this was one of the worst.”
“Woof.” Said Daisy, nodding solemnly.
“That’s right Daisy.” Said Stephen.
“Cites were destroyed and forests were toppled.”
“The ancient Cat city of Basttin
disappeared into the sands of Egypt, West of Cairo.” Said Amelia.
“Man’s glorious city of Atlantis sank
below the waves of the ocean.” Said Stephen.
“That’s awful.” Said Hudson.
“How did it end?” Asked Molly.
“One-thousand eight-hundred years
ago, a peace was negotiated by Amber, Queen of the Faries.” Said Amelia.
“Ever since then, there has been
peace.” Said Stephen.
“I’m glad it ended well.” Said Molly.
“It did.” Said Amelia.
“But why does that mean we’ll be
visited by a werewolf tonight?” Asked Hudson.
“As part of the accord, a Christmas
Werewolf visits each house with a pet.” Said Stephen. “He asks the pet how
their humans have been treating them.”
“It only happens once every thirty
years or so.” Said Amelia. “There will be a full moon on Christmas and then the
Werewolves can visit.”
“You said you have to get ready.”
Said Molly.
“That’s right.” Said Hudson. “Should
we do anything?”
“It is tradition that you leave out a
bowl of water and a snack for the Werewolves.” Said Amelia.
“That’s what we’re going to do.” Said
Stephen.
Hudson’s mother called from the house
again.
“We should go.” Said Hudson.
“We’ll see you tonight.” Said Molly.
“We’ll be back after your parents go
to sleep.” Said Amelia.
“I’ll remember to bring the hat from
my house.” Said Stephen.
*
* *
That night everyone gathered at
Hudson’s for their annual Christmas sleep-over. Molly and Hudson shared the
large bed in the guest room. They curled up under the big fancy quilt with
Amelia and Stephen lying under the covers nearby. Daisy was curled up at the
foot of the bed snoring gently.
It had taken some convincing but
Hudson had gotten his parents to put out a bowl of water with some ice. It sat
on a small table with a plate of cheese cubes from a tray they’d gotten for their
holiday party the next day.
The night was cold but the quilt was
so warm.
Crunch.
Molly froze under the quilt suddenly
wide awake. She thought she’d just heard something.
She looked at Hudson under the covers
and saw that he had woken up as well. The two of them strained their ears,
listening for sound in the room. A long time passed and they heard nothing.
They must have imagined it.
Crunch.
There it was again. Was that the
sound of someone in the room? Molly lifted the covers just a little bit and
looked into the darkness beyond. There was nothing there it was… Wait. There
was a red glow that cleared the darkness. Then the light went away.
Hudson gripped his pillow and Molly
took hold of hers. They silently mouthed, “One…two…three.” They leapt from
under the covers swinging their pillows at the huge shadow in the room.
As they jumped from bed they knocked
Stephen from under the covers and onto the floor. Stephen sprung to his feet
and grabbed the needle sized sword from his pile of clothes. Amelia pushed her
way out from under the covers and rose into the air, her wings glowing bright
enough to light the room.
Molly and Hudson gasped.
In the center of the room stood a
massive werewolf. He was so tall that he had to hunch over to avoid the ceiling
fan. His pants were straining against his legs, the lower halves of each pant leg
shredded and torn to his knees. One of his feet was bare and the other had the
remains of white sneaker that had ripped from the inside. Even if it had been
whole the children doubted if the massive claws that pierced through the end
would have been kept inside. Around his waist was a bright blue fanny pack
fixed loosely in place. A bright red sweater with a white and green repeating
pattern of Christmas bulbs was pulled tight across his chest. On the front of
the sweater was sewn a picture of a smiling reindeer, its head jutting out of
the inside of a great woolly Christmas wreath. As they stared at the werewolf
and his sweater, the reindeer’s nose glowed briefly.
The werewolf held the bowl of water
in its massive hand. His head bowed down and his tongue sticking out midway to
the water. The werewolf pulled his tongue back into his mouth and swallowed.
“Um. Happy holidays.” Said the Werewolf.
Stephen straightened and returned his
sword to its scabbard. He bowed to the werewolf. “My apologies sir. I was woken
suddenly and did not realize who you were.”
“Yes. Yes.” Said Amelia. “We are very
sorry.”
“Woof.” Said Daisy.
The werewolf nodded. “It’s all right
ma’am. It happens from time to time.” The werewolf started to unzip his fanny
pack. “I have some sleep dust from the Sandman in here.”
“You know Kevin?” Asked Hudson.
“How is he?” Asked Molly.
The werewolf paused. “How do you know
Kevin the Sandman?” He Asked.
“He helped our friend Morgan see
Santa two years ago.” Said Hudson.
“Last year, he introduced us to Scot.
That was so Grandma could see Granddad again.” Said Molly.
The werewolf knelt down. “Are you the
ones who braved the dreamscape so a sick friend could visit Santa?”
“Yes.” Said Hudson
“The ones who gave up their Christmas
wishes for their Grandmother?” Asked the Werewolf.
“We did.” Said Molly.
“Who entered the cave of lost items
to find the Fairy Queens ball?”
“Woof.” Said Daisy.
The werewolf bowed his head. “Then
you must be, Hudson, Molly, and Daisy. It is my honor to meet you.” Said the
werewolf.
“Woof?” Asked Daisy.
“Of course.” Said the werewolf.
“Where are my manners? My name is Keith.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you Keith.”
Said Molly as she curtsied.
“Can you stay long?” Asked Hudson.
“I would love to.” Said Keith. “But,
I have many houses to visit and many pets to talk to before the sun rises.”
“We understand.” Said Molly.
“Maybe next time.” Said Hudson.
“Maybe.” Said Keith. Keith turned to
Daisy and said, “Grrl.”
“Woof.” Said Daisy.
“Grrl.” Said Keith.
“Woof.” Said Daisy.
“Grrl?” Asked Keith.
“Woof.” Said Daisy nodding her head.
Keith stood up. “Thank you all. I’ll
file my report with the head office. We’ll know how everything went in the
morning.”
“What happened?” Asked Hudson.
“I cannot say.” Said Keith. “You’ll
have to wait for morning like everyone else.” Keith lifted the bowl to his
mouth and lapped up some of the water. Then with a loud crunch he bit one of
the ice cubes in half. “Thank you for the water. The ice was particularly
welcome. Cold water is more refreshing.”
“You’re welcome.” Said Molly. “Daisy
likes ice in her water so I thought you might like some too.”
“I also liked the cheese cubes.” Said
Keith. “I appreciate the different varieties.”
“I wasn’t sure if you liked a certain
one. This way you had choices.” Said Hudson.
“Thank you.” Said Keith. “Usually all
I get is American, which is nice, but variety is good too.”
Keith smiled at the children and
helped each of them back into bed and tucked them under the covers. He then
helped Stephen and Amelia under the blankets. Lastly Daisy jumped up on the
bed. Daisy walked up to Hudson and Molly. She licked each one on the nose. Then
she walked in a small circle, being careful not to step on Amelia or Stephen.
When she finished, Daisy lay down and rested her head on her paws.
Keith walked over and slid the window
open. “Good night.” Said Keith. He then climbed out the window, shut, and
locked it behind him.
As the friends lay in bed gently
drifting off to sleep Hudson asked. “Stephen?”
“Yes.” Said Stephen.
“You could understand what they
said?” Asked Hudson.
“Yes.” Said Stephen.
“Can you tell us?” Asked Molly.
“No.” Said Stephen.
“It’s not allowed under the accords.”
Said Amelia. “You’ll just have to wait until tomorrow.
Daisy yawned. Soon the rest of them
yawned and slowly fell asleep one by one.
*
* *
The next morning the friends woke up
and found that something had happened in the night. The bowl that had been
filled with water for Keith the night before was now full of candy, treats, and
a squeaky dog bone.
“What’s all of that?” Asked Hudson.
“Where did it come from?” Asked
Molly.
“Hooray.” Said Amelia, her wings
sparking in a rainbow pattern.
“Good show.” Said Stephen tossing his
pillow in the air.
“Woof.” Said Daisy.
“What happened?” Asked Molly.
“The peace continues.” Said Amelia.
“How do you know?” Asked Hudson.
“Daisy’s still here.” Said Stephen.
“Plus, you’ve been rewarded for your good treatment and loving care for Daisy.”
“That’s what the bowl of things is
for.” Said Amelia.
“The candy and treats for you.” Said
Stephen.
“Woof.” Said Daisy taking the squeaky
toy from the bowl and happily chomping down on it.
“That’s right.” Said Stephen.
“What do you mean our treatment of
Daisy?” Asked Hudson.
“You take care of her.” Said Amelia.
“You feed her, walk her, clean up
after her, and play with her.” Said Stephen.
“Squeak.” Barked Daisy, her new toy
still in her mouth.
Stephen smiled. “That’s right. She
said it’s because you love each other.”
“Every pet and child that love one
another, plays together, and treats each other well is how the peace is
maintained.” Said Amelia.
“As long as people take care of their
pets, love them, play with them, and help them, the world remains at peace.”
Said Stephen.
Molly and Hudson hugged Daisy. Daisy
dropped her new toy and gave each child a big lick on their faces.
After breakfast, all of them went
outside to play with Daisy’s new toy. To once again keep the peace.
Happy Holidays to everyone. May the
Christmas Werewolves find you joyous. Let there be peace on Earth and good will
to man and beast.
End
Thank you for reading.
If you're interested in more Christmas stories you can find them at the following links.
