Once upon a time, on a soft Christmas night, little Pip padded to the window. Outside, snow fell slow, snow fell sweet. “Snow, snow, soft and slow,” Pip said.
In the warm room, the tree stood tall. It had shiny balls. It had a star. Candles glowed with small, gold light. “Candle, candle, warm and bright,” Pip said.
By the tree sat a tiny helper with a red cap and a round smile. His ears were pointy. His eyes were kind. He held a little bell.
“Hello,” said Pip.
“Hello,” said the tiny helper. “I am Jolly. I help the tree feel glad.”
Jolly rang his bell. “Ding, ding, little bell. Ding, ding, all is well.”
Pip clapped. “Bell!”
But then Jolly looked down. His smile grew small. “Oh,” he said. “My bell is not so loud.”
Pip touched the bell. It was still nice. It was still smooth. It was just quiet.
Pip thought. Pip looked at the room. The fire made warm light. The candles made warm light. The tree made warm light.
Pip said, “We can help.”
Pip picked up a small silver spoon. He tapped the spoon on a cup. “Ting, ting,” went the cup.
Jolly tapped his bell. “Ding, ding,” went the bell.
Together it made a happy song. Not big. Not loud. Just sweet.
“Snow, snow, soft and slow,” said Pip.
“Ding, ding, little bell,” said Jolly.
“Tree, tree, green and tall,” said Pip.
“Candle, candle, warm and bright,” said Jolly.
They walked in a small circle by the tree. Tap, tap. Ding, ding. The star on top seemed to wink. The shiny balls seemed to dance. The room felt like a hug.
Soon, Jolly's smile grew wide again. “My bell is loud enough,” he said.
Pip yawned. The fire hummed. The snow rested on the sill. The candles still glowed. Pip curled up close to the tree.
Jolly whispered, “Good night.”
Pip whispered, “Good night.”
Peace sat in the room, soft as snow.
A small sound and a kind friend can make a big warm joy.
