Mr Grouse and the Magic Fir Tree

“Phew, it’s Christmas again!” said Mr Grouse, who had just trudged home with a load of heavy shopping.

His neighbour, Mr Bright, was just in the middle of trying to squeeze a Christmas tree into the lift. He looked up as Mr Grouse passed and greeted him with an upbeat “Good morning!”

“Good for some, bad for others,” snorted Mr Grouse. “Christmas shoppers, people everywhere, and all those awful carols! Everyone is so merry and bright, it makes me sick!” he mumbled. He trudged past his neighbour and shut his front door behind him.

Mr Bright shrugged his shoulders and pushed his Christmas tree through the lift doors with a smile.

Oh, how I hate Christmas! Mr Grouse thought. He sat down in his armchair, lit his pipe and pondered. He realised that he wanted to spend the next day – which would be Christmas Eve – going for a walk in the woods. He didn’t want to meet any more super happy people. Fortunately, all the Christmas frenzy meant people would probably be spending their time in the shops rather than out for a walk.

He was right. Apart from the birds, he didn’t meet a single soul in the woods. He walked and walked until he reached his favourite clearing. And there he saw a beautiful, slender fir tree. He couldn’t recall ever seeing it there before.

“What the devil is going on?” he muttered to himself.

“Oh, you’re awfully grumpy today!” the fir tree suddenly piped up. “I’m a Christmas tree, actually. Santa Claus sends me here every Christmas so that I can help spread love wherever it’s needed. He’s busy around Christmas time, see,” she explained. “And now it’s your turn!” she added more quietly.

But Mr Grouse heard her.…