On Our Side of the Forest (Short Story Compilation)

The Christmas Panda

The Christmas Panda

Snow-covered the ground in a cold blanket. Cubs and pups all over town were out playing and enjoying the wintery fun of December. It was this time at night, many parents would tuck their children in and tell them the story of the Christmas Panda. They would snuggle in tight to listen to a story that went something like this...

" Long ago, there was a season without winter. No child could play in the snow. The presents were having trouble being delivered, so Christmas was empty and without. The people in the village did a ritual to the Christmas gods, offering their crops and the freshest herbs and fruits they could find. They all united on the first full moon of the new year. Children placed their toys in the pile, and farmers whose crops were too low offered other goods like yarns and lumbers.

The villagers prayed upon the moon until they summoned a grand spirit! Before their eyes stood the most beautiful creature they had ever seen. The red panda, with green stripes running from her eyes, looked upon the villagers and bowed to them. They were confused at first, but they learned to understand that she was only there to help those in true need. The red panda stayed with the people for the entire year. She ensured their crops were bountiful, their animals were healthy, and their foundation was strong!

Christmas soon became the buzz among the children after they had given and feasted for their yearly time of thanks. The village elder had begun to worry that yet again the Christmas would be dry.

By the first of December, the panda had disappeared from the village. No snow had fallen from the sky yet. They feared she had abandoned them. They worried that they would have to be without the magic of Christmas again.

A couple of weeks had gone by, the lands lay dry and barren. That evening, however, when the people had fallen asleep snow quietly covered the ground. Not an animal nor child was stirred. The red panda had worked her Christmas magic just in time. She had to speak to the powers over the weather and journey into why they would not give the people their snow! On Christmas Eve. the panda came back. The children hugged her, while those old enough to understand her story praised her. So, every year before Christmas the village gave her an offering of cookies and warm fresh milk. She always came back to enjoy them in the middle of the night. Little did the town know, she had always been here watching over them. She had always been the one to give the gifts. They just needed to believe in the magic more so she could always protect them."

Even now, children all over the world offer milk and cookies to "Santa" the Christmas Panda knows exactly who she is, no matter what you call her.