By Sarah Beauregard and Johannie Dufour / Translated by Katya Teague
听
Once upon a time, in the town of Mount Christmas, there was a charming library. The holidays were just around the corner, and several children had gathered there for a morning of Christmas-themed activities followed by story time.
听
A local actor named Sean read that day鈥檚 tale. It was a story about a gingerbread woman named Nutmeg who was tired of her job as a maintenance worker. Instead, she dreamed of becoming a sentry like the Licorice People so that she could protect Treat Town.
听
When Sean finished reading the story, he asked the children which Christmas treat they liked the most. This prompted a heated debate about chocolates, ca颅kes, tarts and cookies. Eventually, the conversation turned to candy canes.
听
鈥淚 love peppermint candy canes,鈥� said five-year-old Madeline.
听
鈥淣o, no, no,鈥� exclaimed several children in unison.
听
鈥淐herry candy canes are so much better,鈥� declared one boy, and several kids nodded in agreement.
听
鈥淏ut the peppermint ones are delicious too,鈥� Madeline asserted.
听
鈥淚 guess,鈥� replied one child.
听
鈥淚 don鈥檛 like them,鈥� said another.
听
鈥淓ating a peppermint candy cane is like eating toothpaste,鈥� added one girl in disgust.
听
To put an end to the bickering, Sean changed the to颅pic of conversation and soon it was time to say good颅bye. As the children wandered around the library awaiting their parents, Sean saw Madeline disappear among the stacks with tears streaming down her cheeks. Concerned, the actor rolled his wheelchair toward the bookshelves and found the little girl sitting between two rows.
听
Sean tried to comfort her, but Madeline refused to tell him what was wrong. Not knowing what else to do, Sean decided to go see if the girl鈥檚 parents had arrived. No sooner had he left than a red bird landed next to Madeline. It was Octave, the friendly magical cardinal who watched over Mount Christmas.
听
鈥淥ctave, I made a big mistake,鈥� Madeline said between sniffles. 鈥淲hen Mom and I went shopping, I chose peppermint candy canes to leave out for Santa Claus. I think they鈥檙e delicious, but I was wrong. Nobody else likes them... I should have picked cherry.鈥�
听
鈥淒on鈥檛 worry my dear,鈥� the bird replied. 鈥淭here鈥檚 no need to cry. Everyone has different tastes. Besides, if nobody liked peppermint candy canes, they wouldn鈥檛 sell them at the store.鈥�
听
鈥淚 guess that鈥檚 true,鈥� the child admitted, wiping tears from her eyes. 鈥淒o you think Santa likes the peppermint ones?鈥�
听
鈥淢aybe,鈥� Octave replied. 鈥淓veryone knows how much he enjoys sweets. Besides, I think he鈥檒l be happy that you were nice enough to leave him a snack, no matter what it is.鈥�
听
鈥淵ou鈥檙e right. Thanks, Octave!鈥�
听
By the time Sean returned with Madeline鈥檚 mother, the girl was smiling. She thanked the actor for the story and headed home. As Sean watched the little girl leave, he shook his head. Children could be so confusing!
