A What?

An Environmental Spin/Global Warming Children’s Christmas Eve Story.

Written By Me.

I Know.   It’s a Bit Bizarre.   It all began with a Writing Contest.

Write a Story to Be Read Aloud to Children on a Christmas Train Ride.

In 700 Words or Less.    With the Theme of Polar Bears, a Train and Santa.

Polar Bears, a Train and Santa?  Hmmm….

The Prize is Tickets for the Train Ride.  And Having Your Story Read Aloud as the Train rolls along.

The Christmas Train Will Own the Story.

700 Words is Not a lot of Words for Telling a Story.

And then I met Mama Bear and Oslo.  In My Minds Eye.

I Fell in Love with Mama and Oslo.  And the Story Unfolded.

I was So Sure I would win!

   I didn’t.

But I do like my Story.  And I love Mama and Oslo.

Even if it is just a little heavy handed on the Global Warming Save the Artic Spin.

I really do think this is important.  Vital, actually.  But that’s for another post.

So Now We have a New Story to Read on Christmas Eve.

And One I look forward to Illustrating.  Maybe on a Snow Day/School Closed/Work Closed kind of Day(!)

For Your Reading Enjoyment…Meet Mama Bear and Oslo…in 700 Words.  🙂

“Polar Bear Hugs” by Jeanne Washburn ©

Oslo scampered out of the den and clapped his paws.

He gave Mama a warm polar bear hug.

Tonight Mama tests the ice.

If the glacial ice can hold Mama, then it’s time for winter at the Arctic Circle.

Mama dove in the frigid waves and climbed up on the glacier. She jumped up and down on the ice.

The blue ice was solid and strong.

Yes, it’s time!

This was Oslo’s first train ride.  Oslo watched the animals arrive and climb into

the train cars.  Each was bearing special gifts for the North Pole.

• Engineer Caribou bellowed from the front, “Is everyone okay?

  Sorry… Just a little ice crack.  We’re back on the rails.

  North Pole in a flash! Hold on tight!”

  Clank! Clank! Click! Click! Swoosh!

  And there it was The North Pole.
  
  The North Pole Christmas Tree is legendary in the Arctic Circle.

  It is tall as a Mountain and Greener than a Valley.
  
  The animals climbed down from the train and carefully placed their icy gifts on

  the tree branches.  The tree began to shimmer and sparkle.

  

  But it needs the Star.

  Oslo was so sad. He just wanted to go home.

  “HoHoHo.  Hi Mama Bear. So this is Your Little Oslo?”

  The voice was calm and welcoming and filled with love. It was Santa.
  

  “Yes, Santa. This is My Oslo,” whispered Mama.

  “HoHoHo. I see the Star had a little accident. An Icicle Star is very delicate.

  I’m sure you tried your best, Oslo.

  You know, there is only one way to fix a North Pole Icicle Star.

  It needs warm Polar Bear Hugs.”

  “I can give warm hugs,” Oslo said.

  

  Mama nodded in agreement. And faster than you can say, “Have a Holly Jolly

  Christmas,” Oslo’s hug melted the star just a little and the pieces stuck

  together.

  Oslo climbed to top of the tree and set the star in place.

  A perfect fit.

  The tree glowed icy white in the moonlight.
  
  The animals did not move. They all faced north and were silent.

  Waiting.

  Then from the tips of the Star, colors swirled and shot into the night sky.

  The Northern Lights!

  The tree dazzled in all the colors of the rainbow.

  
  Clank! Clank! Click! Click!

  All the Way Home.

  The Northern Lights will Guide You,

  Wherever You May Roam.

  Merry Christmas!

  

  Here’s to the Magic of the Season and a Happy New Year!