THE LEGEND OF DOUGLAS FIR
(Douglas Fir & the Spirit of Christmas)
Author, Suzanna Susquehanna Copyright 1995, by Susan J. Arratia, Publisher
Long, long ago it was a warm Summertime night. Stars twinkled and a full moon was shining as Santa’s sparkling sleigh, pulled by 8 tiny reindeer (and Rudolf) shimmered across the sky. They flew over the Big Pine trees, far up in the tall mountains, deep, deep in the National Forest.
Santa was on his way back to the North Pole to get everything ready for Christmas. He had been around the World gathering supplies. His sleigh was filled to the top with wood and paper and plastic and paint--and a lot of other things--for making toys.
As the sleigh flew over the treetops, Santa looked down and winked. JUST ONE magic twinkle from Santa’s eye fell down into the forest. It fell right onto a pinecone on a Big Pine tree.
Sometime after Santa had gone, that special pinecone fell to the ground. JUST ONE seed from that pinecone began to grow into a tiny tree.
It grew and grew, for about 9 years. But it wasn't very big yet, because it takes about 200 years for a seed to grow into a Big Pine.
One day the little pine tree called up to the Big Pine tree.
"Hey, up there!… HEY!.......What’s your name?!”
"Well, you've finally learned to talk,” said a deep voice. “My Name is Father Fir!”
"I've been calling to you for years, but you're so tall, and I've been so little, this is the first year you've heard me," the little tree shouted. "Say,….What's my name, Father Fir?" the little tree asked.
“Why, your name is Douglas...Douglas Fir," Father Fir said proudly.
“’Douglas’,” said Douglas, just trying it out. “That has a nice ring to it….but Father Fir, I’ve been very lonely down here.”
Even though Father Fir was far above him, he could see that Douglas was feeling sad. It would be such a long time before he grew into a Big Pine and could be with the older trees. Trying to comfort Douglas he said, “Now that I can finally hear you, we’ll be talking a lot more. We’ll have some fun, now!”
"OK,” Douglas replied, still shouting, “but I have one more question; Am I a Christmas Tree?”
“WHAT?!” Father Fir’s voice boomed. Father Fir was so worried that his branches were quaking and trembling. He seemed to know something that Douglas didn’t know. “How do you know about Christmas Trees?” he asked nervously.
Douglas had to keep shouting. “Sometimes children come to hike in the forest. I hear them say that Santa will be coming soon. They sing wonderful songs about a Christmas Tree and Rudolf and Jingle Bells! There’s a special feeling all around. They call it the Spirit of Christmas! But they don’t even notice me,” he said sadly. “They just keep hiking.”
Father Fir reached out with his lowest branch to pat Douglas reassuringly on the top of his highest branch. With a nervous laugh Father Fir said “Now, now Douglas, try to be happy. Those stories are just make-believe. Let’s just enjoy the beautiful days and nights. Let’s enjoy being strong and healthy in the Great Outdoors! Forget about those silly stories.”
Douglas took a deep breath and shouted again.
“Oh, no, I know what they said is true! I’ve seen Santa fly over with his sleigh and reindeer. When the weather is still warm, the sleigh is filled with tools and supplies. When the weather gets cold, the sleigh is filled with toys! And that’s why the children say they can’t wait ‘til Christmas! Santa makes toys and puts them under beautiful sparkling Christmas Trees for all the children!”
In a frustrated voice Father Fir said, “You’re not a Christmas Tree, Douglas Fir, and that’s that!”
With a sob, and trying not to cry, Douglas softly said, “But I did see Santa. The stories must be true. I wish I could be a Christmas Tree. Then when the children come back they’ll notice me and I won’t be lonely.”
“Speak up, Douglas!” said Father Fir. “I can’t hear you.”
Douglas controlled his sobs and shouted, “I WISH I COULD BE A CHRISTMAS TREE!”
"NO!" said Father Fir firmly. And then he said the awful truth; "You can't be a Christmas Tree! To be a Christmas Tree, you must be cut down!”
Douglas gasped! “CUT DOWN?!”
What an unhappy surprise! He was only 9, but he knew that if he were cut down he would die!
Quickly Father Fir said “Don’t worry son. You’re safe here in the National Forest. It’s against the law to cut trees down and take them away. That should lift your spirits! We're protected here, so we can grow tall for everyone to see and enjoy, and so the animals will have a safe home.”
Douglas thought about that. He wanted to be safe and grow tall in the National Forest like Father Fir. But now he knew he would never share the joy of Christmas with the Children.
There was nothing he could do; and that made him sad, ……and angry.
Many days went by. Douglas was still angry and thinking about being lonely. Even Father Fir was sad, because Douglas didn’t want to talk to him anymore. Winter was coming, and the weather was getting colder and colder.
Soon snow was falling and the wind began to blow through the forest. As it blew through Douglas’ branches, he thought he could hear the faint far-off sound of Jingle Bells. He began looking around.
Douglas looked to the North and saw the Northern Lights.
“Father Fir!” shouted Douglas. “Look there! What beautiful lights! Is that Santa I see sparkling there?”
Father Fir also looked to the North. He squinted his eyes. “I don’t see anything,” he said. Then, with surprise in his voice he said “Wait!.....I can see Santa there!” Father Fir laughed deeply and heartily. “Looks like you were right after all, Douglas!”
“Wow, there’s a special feeling all around!” exclaimed Douglas. “I feel just like I did when the children were here! I feel good again!”
Father Fir laughed again. “That’s the Spirit, son! You must be feeling the Spirit of Christmas!”
And that’s just what it was. Douglas was so full of the Christmas Spirit that his eyes were twinkling! Then, all of a sudden, he began to sparkle all over!
“Whoa!” said Father Fir.
“Whoa!” said Douglas.
At that moment, Santa came flying overhead in his sleigh. He dropped a small red bag filled with toys and it fell right onto the fresh white snow beneath Douglas’ sparkling branches.
“Now the children will see me when they come, Father Fir!” shouted Douglas.
Douglas Fir sparkled and sparkled. Father Fir’s laughter echoed throughout the forest. And Santa went on his way.
Douglas couldn’t change his circumstances, but truly feeling the Christmas Spirit changed his attitude, and gave him hope and happiness.
Now every year at Christmastime, Douglas begins to sparkle, and he waits for the children to find him.
So the next time you’re hiking deep, deep in the National Forest at Christmastime, listen for Jingle Bells and laughter, and look for sparkles. But unless you truly feel the Spirit of Christmas, you surely won’t find Douglas Fir.
Copyright 1995, by Susan J. Arratia
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