Douglas, the Little Fir Tree became aware he was different when the other trees, grown to be Christmas Trees, would stretch their well formed branches, shake them at him and laugh.
Douglas tried and tried to stretch his branches and to stand tall, but no matter how he tried his twisted little limbs just couldn’t do it.
At night, while the other trees slept, Douglas would try and try to stretch and shake and sway his branches, but he just couldn’t.
During the day, the other trees would tease him and tell him he would never be picked for a Christmas Tree. Douglas the Fir Tree would look at his little branches as they drooped and hang his head and cry.
If only he could stand tall. He prayed and prayed that one day he could be tall and straight with strong branches and be able to sway in the gentle breezes.
For several years he had grown and stood as straight as he could hoping to be chosen for a Christmas Tree. People would look at him, shake their heads and pass him by.
To be chosen to be a Christmas Tree would be such an event. If ever, ever he could be chosen, he would have a big party to celebrate. But day after day he would be passed by, his little tree heart would pound inside him and nearly break.
One night, while the other trees slept, it started to snow. The prettiest of all snowflakes fell on Douglas, ignoring the other trees. Several tiny stars fell and hung on him with one big one on top!
When the other trees woke up they couldn’t believe their eyes. Douglas was beautiful! The snowflakes and stars on Douglas were so beautiful they didn’t notice his twisted trunk and deformed branches. He was so happy! Tonight they would have a party and it would be called “The Festival of Trees”.
Such a party it was! Douglas was the hit of the party in his beautiful decorations. The other trees did not laugh at him and make fun of him anymore. At last, he was accepted. He was so excited he stretched his branches over and over again.
He could do it! He could do it! All the other trees cheered and swayed. Douglas could do it! They danced and swayed all night. Such fun!
The next day, as people came to choose their Christmas trees, everyone gathered around Douglas. “We want this one”, they all said. Douglas the Fir Tree was so proud. At last he was going to be a Christmas Tree!
One little boy, sitting in a funny looking chair with wheels on it, stopped in front of Douglas. Douglas had never seen a chair like that one. The little boy looked sad. Douglas felt a tear fall from his little tree eye. He wanted to be the little boy’s Christmas Tree.
So many people wanted Douglas that the Forest Ranger had every family take a card with a number on it. The sad little boy took a number. “Oh please let us have this tree”, the little boy said, pointing at Douglas.
The Ranger called out, “The lucky number is 14.”
Silence fell over the forest.
Then the little boy shouted, “I have number 14! I’m so happy!!”
Douglas was happy too. He was going to be the little boys Christmas Tree!
As the little boy and his family carried the “Little Fir Tree” to their van,
Douglas called out,
“Let’s all gather here next year for our Festival of Trees!”
© 1986 by Patricia J.Hartley