CHRISTMAS IS FOR WISHING story

Colin stared out his bedroom window. Christmas Eve was supposed to be fun.

And thinking of tonight’s trip to the Mall brought back memories of red bells and angels on Christmas trees. And trains, toy soldiers and hand video games.

Toys were everywhere. Music with cheerful tunes had surrounded him like a magic blanket. Children and adults in all shapes and sizes were hurrying and shouting. Some of the voices he heard sounded unhappy.

"Stop crying, I can’t afford that!" one parent shouted. Another demanded, "Get over here when I call you!" Even outside in the parking lot, his ears could not shut out the anger.

"Hey you! That's my spot!"

"Christmas is supposed to be a good time for everyone," Colin said as he patted his cat, Boots. From his window perch he noticed how peaceful Victoria Park seemed.

It was a huge place, filled with trees, hills and a large reservoir, and almost in the center of Truro, Nova Scotia.

Later In bed he felt warm and loved. Mommy leaned over and kissed his forehead goodnight.

"What special gift do you want for Christmas Colin?" she asked, giving him a sly wink.

He closed his eyes tightly, and made a wish.

"Peace on earth," whispered her little son.

"Where did you get such a serious thought?" his mother asked.

His answer was a huge smile and a monster hug before she turned to go. He knew wishes were supposed to be a secret, but somehow it just slipped out.

His mother left the table light on because Colin was afraid of the darkness. Sleepy eyes soon closed as the clock ticked towards midnight.

Around 11:00 PM Colin heard something, causing him to sit up and listen carefully. A brave thought made him get out of bed and go downstairs.

Whining sounds came from outside the front door. Perhaps it was a hungry stray dog. He quickly gathered up a few scraps and opened the door.

Colin almost fell backwards as he spotted what looked like a gray wolf. A huge mouth was half opened with a sort of happy panting. For some strange reason, Colin was not afraid.

Could this be part of his wish?

Boy and animal stared at each other. Colin somehow knew in his heart this was no time to stand around.

He ran upstairs, put on boots, warm clothes, mitts and a hat. By the time he returned downstairs, three more fully-grown wolves were waiting outside. But he was not nervous at all.

The leader must be the largest one, so he patted it on the head in an action of bonding and together they headed down the street.

His feet seemed to have a mind of their own, as if they knew exactly where to go. The other wolves walked beside and behind him. They were more like friends, than guards.

Colin noticed a neighbor peering from her window. Within minutes of receiving her phone call, the Truro Police Department sent an urgent message: "Boy kidnapped by wolves!"

A Cab driver passing by could hardly believe his eyes. “Wolves on the street!” he yelled into his CB radio.

Late strollers rushed back to the safety of their homes. Soon, yells and screams could be heard up and down Park and Rosewyn Streets.

The wolf leader crossed the street and began a loping run. Colin did the same. They entered Victoria Park, with its 1,000 acres of woodland, and headed up the path towards the Reservoir.

By now groups of men, women and children were gathering on the sidewalk.

"They went that way!" they shouted, pointing towards the Park Entrance. Officers in two Police cars soon arrived. Other drivers parked their cars and headed into the park to join them.

Christmas eve celebrations were forgotten. Saving a little boy from wild animals was now on their minds.

A buzzing could be heard from the crowd. It sounded like hornets wishing to defend their nest.

The wolves often paused and waited patiently for the boy to catch his breath. Colin rested against a birch tree. How many boys had a chance to run with wolves in the moonlight? He wondered.

In his heart, Colin knew he was on a special mission and began to run again. The wolves watching over him seemed to know exactly where they were going and now took the lead.

Not far behind, the tramp of many feet and loud shouting were part of a growing gathering of people. Some now carried sticks and baseball bats. There was fear in their hearts. Parents afraid to leave children at home brought them along on the chase.

They left behind fancy Christmas treats and pretty decorations. And even getting ready for Santa was definitely forgotten. After all, what was more important right now than rescuing a little boy on Christmas Eve?

Colin and the wolves crouched beside a small hill, watching people fill up the connecting paths. Then the boy climbed onto the back of the wolf leader, and they padded along a secluded path.

He began to notice large number of animals standing around, and many flocks of various birds on branches. Why weren't they running, or flying away? Colin wondered.

"Creatures of the forest are usually nervous around people," dad once said.

Suddenly, the wolf leader stopped, raised his snout and gave a piercing "OWWWOOUUU" call. It was his signal for other wolves to join in.

Colin climbed down to see what was the matter. He was surprised to see the forest filling up with even more animals and birds. Larger trees were covered with crows and eagles. There were also canaries, partridges and owls.

Every animal and bird he knew from his school library seemed to be here.

Also, standing proudly behind every shrub and tree were coyotes, rabbits and beaver, and mice and deer. Even bear, moose and others whose names he could not remember.

The large crowd of people was amazed to see the same sights surrounding them as they rushed towards the sound of howling wolves.

In a short while, anger and fear was replaced by "OOHS" and "AAHS" of wonder. Everyone, and there was quite a crowd by now, simply stared in awe. So many animals and birds, too many to count, were everywhere.

As if on a signal, every adult and child placed sticks and baseball bats on the ground. There was a sudden hush in the forest they did not want to miss.

All focused in the direction of a grassy field, where Colin and the wolves were waiting. It overlooked a small lake, which was the town’s water reservoir.

Everyone listened as if in a daze while four wolves, acting as guardians, surrounded the boy, howling their greetings.

The full moon came as a flood from behind the clouds. It appeared like a huge flashlight, with a super bright beam that shone upon Colin and the wolves. Everyone could see the boy was fine.

Colin’s mom and dad felt brave enough to join their son, between the shaggy beasts.

Very softly, a humming arose from thousands of trees. And flapping wings began to lift slowly, then more rapidly. A strange mixture of “Clapping” and “Whooshing” sounds echoed throughout the woods.

Every limb in the forest appeared to quiver and shake.

Birds and numerous animals began to join in with their own peculiar calling sounds, creating a special musical symphony. Then loon melodies rose in never-ending stages into the sky.

From below, deer added 'blowing' sounds meant to soothe their young. And colonies of beaver slapped muscled tails as they dove arrow-like into the reservoir.

Men, women and children gasped in wonder. The strange tunes their ears captured were enchanting.

Creative melodies ushered in a feral love of the wilderness, of protecting and sharing this precious forest. And living in peace with one another.

It was a message, which touched each human, filling empty spaces in the hearts of an army of anxious people.

Some had forgotten those qualities of kindness and sharing, precisely what forest animals and birds wanted to remind them, this particular time of year.

Everyone listened carefully, their swaying movements mingled with sound, drifting peacefully through the trees.

The aroma of this outdoor arena was a sweet scent of animal, fowl, and human.

Strange and beautiful melodies continued to surround three human figures bathed in moonlight.
Everyone could see a mother, father and little Colin holding hands together in love.

And this journey into Nature for people and forest creatures had begun with a boy’s earlier wish to bring everyone together in one family circle.

It was an awesome moment.

Then silently as if a baton had been raised, all animals and birds were stilled. Their sounds, which had reached far into the sky and beyond the hills, were now silenced. Everyone wondered what was going to happen.

As if that unseen baton now swirled in a hurried wave, an army of young voices began to sing. Children proudly stood and sent their message that arose from the forest as if in a huge wave.

It was brought forward in rushes from their joy of youth. And soon joined by all the adults who were honored guests to the magnitude of this shining moment.

Their voices combined in song, creating a sign of hope in the world they knew. And the sweep of time turned from midnight to morning. As if by magic everyone decided to join in.

Animals, birds and humans came together in one common symphony.

The forest shook with powerful sounds, strange in their delivery, but arose in harmony to the stars. Their voices carried a message of Love and Peace on Earth.

It was Christmas day!

* * *

(c) Richard @ Esther Provencher 2005

Co-authors Richard and Esther Provencher invite you to view their newest novel SOMEONE’S SON written during Richard’s recovery from a stroke, which gob-smacked him in 1999. It is a Young Adult novel dealing with family crisis. http://www.synergebooks.com/ebook_someonesson.html