By Kaye Trickey
Pip arrived back at the cozy corner safely. Mam and Pap were not there and the little ones were becoming alarmed. Swessa, the oldest, was taking command. She had all of them sitting in one place, presenting a lecture on how everyone must help prepare something to eat.
It was at this point Pip arrived. He was so excited! the mouse family also became excited, and for the moment they put aside their concern for their Mam and Pap.
Pip told them all about “going to sleep, awakening very frightened.” Swessa at this point said, “Pip, you were naughty to leave the best and become lost,” but Swessa’s reprimand was not really heard because his story was becoming “very” exciting and “very” interesting.
He had just finished telling about the tree angel when Prampy remembered he was hungry. Although all of the family were wondering about the tree angel and what it was all about, the were also suddenly aware once again that Mam and Pap were not there.
Where could they have gone? It was not like Mam and Pap to leave them alone (especially, they were never alone after dark). At least they had each other to give comfort, as only family members can. At times like this, Swessa, the determined mouse, with a mind of her own, decided that she, with the assistance of Nessie, would fix the family dinner.
Swessa admonished Pip to keep Bly, the littlest of the family, and Prampy, the other boy mouse, happy with more tales of his adventure. Swessa and Nessie were taking charge of the situation. They would find some of the good items Mam always had in the storage area of their nesting corner.
Meanwhile, Mam and Pap were on their way. They were also concerned about their family, for they had not intended to be away such a long time. They were moving slowly and quietly in the corridor toward their corner. They too heard the voices of the house people. The stopped to rest and peeked through a crack. It was a lovely sight to behold.
Mam, however, urged Pap to continue on toward their family. She knew they would be hungry. She worried they might be frightened.
On they went. Slowly and carefully they crossed into the section of the house where they lived.
What a pleasant surprise when they arrived! Their family was quiet, they were eating, and best of all, they were not showing signs of worry. Mam and Pap walked in and the little mouse family started to chatter all at once.
“Where have you been for so long?”
“Why did you leave us in the dark?”
“Nessie and Swessa fixed something to eat!”
Mam heard something about Pip going away from the cozy corner.
All of the questions were soon answered when Mam and Pap sat the little ones down. They were very attentive and listened carefully to Mam while she explained all about why the house people were happy and sounds of excitement were resounding through the walls. It was Christmas for the house people and at this time, the family shared their love for each other with many family traditions.
One of these traditions was the giving of gifts from a decorated tree. Pap told them he knew how much they missed the trees and the grass from their summer home, and they decided their little family should have this special time together in the cozy corner.
Mam and Pap had gone back to their summer home, through the snowy fields, and gathered a “teeny-tiny” branch, peeping above from the snow drops. This was why it had been such a long time. Mam and Pap wanted all their little ones to share in this special gift of love experienced at Christmas.
Although many things had happened this day to the family, they all quieted down at last and they, one by one, fell asleep each in his own way sharing love one for the other.
(Author’s Note: The artful creations of Pip and family are compliments of Bob Cowperthwaite. My wish for you and yours: May your family share the joys of Christmas and the traditions formed through the many years of the true meaning of Christmas: love for one another.)
