A Small Christmas "Tail"-5

Thanks again for the wonderful comments. We're approaching the end...

A Small Christmas "Tail"

The doe saw Casey and her eyes grew wide. She didn't move a muscle, as though frozen in place. Casey feared she might flee at any moment and tried to reassure her.


"Hello, ma'am. Don't worry. I'm only an ordinary little pup. I don't chase deer."

She seemed to relax a bit, yet prudently kept her distance as she spoke.

"Sorry. I'm still pretty skittish. Things have been so frightening in the woods. Thank heaven it's better now."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, it's finally Christmas. We look forward to it all year. Christmas is the time when the men with guns leave the woods and peace finally returns for us."

Casey's ears pricked forward.

"Are you saying that Christmas means peace?"

"For us it does. No more guns blazing. No more running for our lives. No more beloved friends that disappear forever."

The doe's eyes sparkled with liquid. Casey shook his head.

"That sounds terrible."

"Yes, indeed it is. That's why we're so fond of Christmas. Now if you'll excuse me, I must get home so my family doesn't worry."

And with that, the doe turned and bounded away through the trees. Casey listened until he could no longer hear the sound of her hooves drumming along the ground.

Puzzled, he tried to sort out his thoughts. So many different opinions. Did Christmas mean fun, sharing, home, or peace? It certainly wasn't an easy concept to pin down. A northern breeze ruffled his fur and Casey shivered. The sun had sunk low enough to make the air feel cooler even without the wind.  He longed for the warmth of home and the dinner that he knew awaited him.

A full stomach never failed to inspire. Perhaps he could figure out the meaning of Christmas later.