Once upon a time, in a village wrapped in snow, there lived a little boy named Tom. Tom was four. He had bright eyes like candles and hands that loved to help.
Part One
The village hall was a big warm chest. Inside, a tall green tree stood like a friendly giant. Candles shone like tiny moons. Bells hung like laughing stars. Tom wanted the hall to be tidy for the feast. He said, "I will tidy. I will help." He hummed, "Snow falls, bells ring, tree glows, candles sing." The song was soft and round. The snow fell outside. The bells sang in his heart.
Tom picked up paper stars. He folded them like little boats. "Here," he said to a paper star, "you will shine for someone." He placed the star on a table. He lined the chairs like ducks in a row. He brushed crumbs into a little pile. The crumbs looked like tiny pebbles on a path.
Part Two
Some friends came. "Can I help?" asked Anna. "Can I help?" asked old Mr. Finch. They smiled. Tom felt his chest warm like a fire. They sang the soft refrain: "Snow falls, bells ring, tree glows, candles sing." Together they washed windows until they were like clear mirrors. They trimmed the tree with red ribbon. They hung the bells high and low. They carried boxes like little mountains.
A child dropped a candle. "Oh!" said Tom. The candle did not break. Anna picked it up. "Share," she said. Tom shared a mitten. Mr. Finch shared a story. Each sharing was a light put on the tree. Each light made the hall brighter.
When the hall was ready, the town came in. They clapped like gentle rain. Tom stood by the door. He felt small and very big at once. People thanked him. He gave a paper star to a little girl. "For you," he said. She hugged him.
The bells rang. The snow whispered. The tree breathed green and golden. Candles flickered like kind fireflies.
Snow falls, bells ring, tree glows, candles sing.
Tom lay down that night, snug as a berry in a bowl. He thought of hands and stars and sharing. He smiled. The village slept under a soft bright blanket. Peace hummed like a lullaby.
