The Little Fir Tree

Seasons passed. In winter, the snow covered him, and a hare jumped right over his head—how insulting! But by the third winter, he was tall enough that the hare had to run around him. Woodcutters came and cut down the biggest trees. 'Where are they going?' he asked the swallows. 'To the sea as ship masts? To the city?' The sparrows chirped, 'We saw them in houses! They are covered in gold and lights!'

The Fir Tree trembled with excitement. Finally, one Christmas, he was chosen! Axes cut deep, and he fell with a groan. He was taken to a beautiful house. Servants adorned him with colored paper, apples, walnuts, and over a hundred candles. A gold star was placed on his top. 'Tonight,' he thought, 'I will shine!'

The candles were lit—it was dazzling! Children danced around him, plundering his branches for candy. A little man told a story about 'Humpty Dumpty' who fell downstairs but still won the princess. The tree listened, happy and proud, thinking tomorrow would be even better. He learned that while dreaming of the future is nice, finding joy in today is the true magic of Christmas.