The Little Pine Tree

The little pine tree sat on the edge of the Christmas tree field. It looked down on rows and rows of perfect trees of many types: blue spruce, with pointy, stabby needles; balsam fir with their citrusy scent; white spruce, tall and perfectly shaped; even some pines, not that different from itself. Many of the other trees were much bigger than the little pine tree, but it didn’t mind. Not every house could hold a twenty foot tree. It knew that somewhere there was a perfect little house where it would be just the right size. A perfect little house just waiting for a perfect little pine tree for Christmas.

Maybe, it thought. Maybe, this will be my year. Maybe this year, a family will pick me! Maybe they’ll see how beautiful I am, how green and fragrant my branches are, how my pine cones sparkle. My pine cones make me special! How many of the trees here can boast pine cones? Not many, I can tell you!

And there are other things that make me special, too! I have a hidden treasure: that tiny bird’s nest that the Pine Warblers made last Spring. They even used some of my pine needles to make it sturdy and soft. How many trees can boast a bird’s nest? That’s good luck! I’m a lucky tree!

Maybe they’ll tie me onto the roof of their car, safe and tight, so I won’t slide off. What an exciting ride that will be! Then, when we get to their house, they will carefully take me off of the roof and bring me inside. They’ll put me in a stand, so I can soar tall and beautiful, and they’ll keep me watered so I’ll stay healthy and green for a long time, all through the holiday season.

Once I’m set up, they’ll decorate me! Beautiful lights will adorn my limbs, flashing and racing in brilliant, deep colors of blue and red and green and yellow. Then they’ll add the ornaments: gold and silver, red and blue, shining white. And as they hang the ornaments, they’ll talk about them, and tell their stories.

“Remember this one? We got this one on that trip to Yellowstone National Park. We saw bison just like the ones on this ornament! That was exciting!”

“Aww, look at this one! Baby’s First Christmas! You were so cute!”

“This one was one of Grandma’s. My sisters and I fought over who got which one; I lucked out with the hedgehog, he’s the cutest!”

“I made this one. Glued on every single tiny pearl, one by one. I got glitter everywhere, making it sparkle inside the little window! We used to make them every year.”

“You made this one in first grade. Look how cute you were!”

They’ll play Christmas Carols: Jingle Bells, Silent Night, Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree, and my favorite, O Christmas Tree. It’s my favorite, because it’s all about me!

They’ll make popcorn, and the smell of the popcorn will mix with my lovely pine perfume, and the whole house will smell wonderful. Maybe they’ll string some popcorn, or some cranberries, to hang on me.

And when they’re all finished decorating me, they’ll stand back and admire me. They’ll say, “This is the most beautiful tree we’ve ever had!”

The little pine tree waited patiently for its chance. It watched, day after day, as families came to walk among the trees. Red-cheeked children, smiling Mamas and Papas, old people holding hands. Each time they approached, the little pine tree got excited, anticipation building within it. It would sway in the breeze, waving its lovely branches, trying to catch someone’s eye. But they walked on by. Each time a family walked away, the little pine tree would droop in disappointment. Couldn’t they see how perfect it was?

Days went by. The crowds of people got smaller. Many of the little pine tree’s companion trees were gone, their absence marked by fresh stumps. And still it waited, waited for a family of its own.

The workers walked through the field, noting the trees that had been bought and taken home.

“Pretty good year,” one said to the other. “Lots of trees sold. We’ll have to plant a bumper crop next year to replace them.”

“Crowds are slowing down,” the other said. “It’s almost Christmas. I don’t think we’re gonna sell a whole lot more. Most people who want a tree have already come.”

Hearing this, the little pine tree drooped despondently. Another year missed!

Why does no one want me? it wondered. I’m so beautiful! Why can’t they see that?

The day got cold and stormy. Snow began to fall, tiny specks at first, then building into huge, fluffy snowflakes. The snow coated the little pine tree’s branches, a warm blanket of white.

I might as well just go to sleep, it thought. Nothing else to do. Another year gone. Nothing for it but to dream of next year. It sighed, shaking its branches.

A pair of sparrows slipped in between its boughs, snuggling down together, seeking shelter from the storm. The little pine tree welcomed them. It was nice to have company. It was nice to feel appreciated. At least the little birds love me, it thought.

The next morning dawned, cold and sparkling under a new blanket of snow. The little pine tree was frosted with a glistening coat of fresh snow. The sun shone brightly, casting rainbow sparkles from the icy crystals. The little pine tree felt so beautiful, decorated by the snow. Well, it thought, Mother Nature decorated me. She sees how beautiful I am. The little pine tree tried to take comfort from that. But it was still disappointed that no one had chosen it for their Christmas tree. It dozed under the snow.

Suddenly, it felt a tug on one of its branches.

“What about this one?” a woman asked.

“Maybe,” a man answered. “It’s kind of hard to see, with all the snow.”

Waking up, the little pine tree realized that a family had approached! Mama, Papa, a boy, a girl. And a dog, sniffing busily. The little pine tree stood up taller, shaking its branches free of snow.

“Oh!” the man laughed. “That’s better! Now I can really see the tree.”

The children circled the tree. They looked up at it from every angle. The boy dropped down into the snow to examine its base.

“It’s so pretty!” the little girl squealed. “And look! It’s got pine cones! It’s already decorated!” She laughed a happy laugh.

The boy peered intently into the interior of the little pine tree. “Hey! There’s a bird’s nest, too!”

“This one!” the little girl shouted. “I want this one! I like the pine cones!”

“Yeah!” the little boy agreed. “It’s perfect! None of the other trees have a bird’s nest!”

Mama and Papa exchanged a look and a smile.

“Perfect!” she pronounced.

“Done!” he stated.

The little pine tree was filled with joy. Finally! It was finally going to be a family’s Christmas tree.

In no time at all, Papa had the little pine tree cut down and tied to the roof of the car. The little pine tree held on tight to its bird’s nest and its pine cones, the things that made it so special.

Soon the little pine tree was standing tall in the family’s living room. It did its best to help Papa string the lights on its branches. Then the decorating began. Just as the little pine tree had imagined.

“Aww! Baby’s First Christmas! Let’s find a place where they can both hang next to each other.”

“Remember this? We got this one when we went to Disneyland.”

“Here’s the one you made in First Grade, Heather. Where do you want to hang it?”

“Didn’t Dylan make one in First Grade, too? Yes, here it is! Hang yours up, Dylan.”

“This was your grandmother’s. Find a nice, high spot for it.”

The decorating went on all evening. Just when they thought they were finished, they would find another special ornament that just had to go on the tree. Finally they were satisfied.

“I don’t think there’s room for one more ornament,” Mama laughed.

The family stood back, arm in arm, to admire the beautiful Christmas tree.

“It looks great!” Dylan stated.

“It’s the most beautiful tree we’ve ever had!” whispered Heather in awe.

“It sure is,” Mama and Papa agreed.

The little pine tree sighed in contentment, basking in the love and beauty of being - finally - a special family’s perfect Christmas tree.