The Lonely Little Christmas Tree
written by: Malcolm Munro
@newsopolis
The Christmas Tree forest was filled with glee,
Apart from one, sad little tree.
The farmer had planted each sapling with care,
But when he was done, he had one to spare.
He thought “I may as well give it a go,”
So he sowed it in stones and hoped it would grow.
A Jackdaw watched the farmer drag his spade,
As he sipped his flask of ‘lemonade.’
He gave the bird a knowing glance,
And said “doesn’t stand much of a chance.”
The little spruce did its best to sprout,
But it was so small and felt left out.
“Why look so worried,” said a big bushy pine,
“You will soon find a family and all will be fine.”
“But my branches are tatty,” said the little tree,
“I am just too scruffy, who will choose me?”
In the town nearby was a very busy man,
John Douglas’s factory made Marzipan.
And where did all his Marzipan go?
On Christmas cakes, with icing like snow.
Mr Douglas promised that by no later than three,
He’d take his children with Mum to choose a tree.
But work got so busy with orders for pud,
He forgotten his promise and that’s not very good.
Sarita his wife, his son Hari and May, daughter,
Said when Daddy gets home he’s in very hot water.
Mrs Douglas worked from home with hours to suit her,
On the kitchen table on her personal computer.
She got up early so her work would be done,
So she would have special time for family fun.
Meanwhile in the forest where the Christmas trees grow,
Jenny Jackdaw watched down on all below.
She kept an eye out for anything bad,
And noticed that one little tree was so sad.
“What’s the matter,” she said to the lonely tree,
“There’s nothing to worry about, just trust me.”
Jenny Jackdaw had seen Christmases come and go,
And there wasn’t much she didn’t know.
She said: “Christmas Trees have nothing to fear,
“A family will re-cycle and you’ll grow again next year.”
But the little tree was full of doubt,
“I’m just too scrawny, I’ll be left out.”
The poor lonely pine had low self-esteem,
“I’m not good enough,” you could hear the tree scream.
Now the kindly old Jackdaw knew better than that,
She’d make sure the little tree found a house, or a flat.
Mr Douglas got home and a quarter to eight,
But there was no pie and mash on his plate.
“Your dinner is in the dog” said his wife who was cross,
Bruno had woofed the lot, his gain was Dad’s loss”
Dad knew he was wrong to break his vow,
So next morning he promised “we’ll get a tree now.”
Mum, Dad, Hari and May jumped in the car,
They drove to farm which was not very far.
There were still a few trees left by the gate,
The forlorn little sapling was awaiting its fate.
“All the other trees look so much better than me,”
“I’ll be all alone for Christmas” cried the tree.
Now Jenny Jackdaw was very proud of her nest,
She had turned it into a treasure chest.
Whenever she saw something bright, silver or shiny,
She would swoop down and take it, no matter how tiny.
Each morning when birds everywhere woke to sing,
Jenny Jackdaw would marvel at her collection of bling.
The clever old Jackdaw fluffed up her wings,
And thought of all the sparkling things.
That she could swipe at Christmas time,
When all the people were sloshed on mulled wine.
At the factory, Mr Douglas was sorely missed,
New orders for Christmas cakes made a very long list.
The manager called to ask why John was not in,
The marzipan makers were all in a spin.
But determined to settle his family dispute,
Mr Douglas had put his iPhone on mute.
The family arrived with smiles all around,
It would not take long for a tree to be found.
“I like that one,” said Hari, “it’s so big and so tall”
But Mum said, “I’m sorry but our house is too small.”
They each chose their favourite but no-one could agree,
Then little May cried out: “just look at that tree.”
A glimmering shower of twinkling stars,
Fell down on one tree and May cried “that one’s ours.”
Sparkling sequins, where from, you’ll have guessed,
Glittering riches, from the old Jackdaw’s nest.
The wise old bird dropped the gems from on high,
Knowing they would catch little May’s eye.
The family could not believe what they’d seen,
The little fir bedecked in jewels like a Queen.
Then Mrs Douglas said to Hari and May,
“That’s the one for us, where do I pay?”
Jenny Jackdaw watched with a knowing smile,
There’s a home for every tree – thanks to her guile.
Back at the factory the workers had coped,
All the Christmas cakes finished as the manager hoped.
The workers could go early and prepare for their day,
Mr Douglas made sure they got extra pay.
And as snow began to fall on Christmas morn,
The little tree had a home, all cosy and warm.
Tinsel and baubles adorned every twig,
The family had not missed a single sprig.
Surrounding the trunk were gifts galore,
The lonely little tree was lonely no more.
Jenny Jackdaw peeped through the window to see,
A proud, happy and beautiful Christmas tree.
(ends)
- The Lonely Little Christmas Tree - December 18, 2023
