Animals’ First Christmas

by Luise Seeker

An December 2025 Monthly Story Challenge Winner 

The wide white world was beautifully clear

And muffled sounds were all you could hear

When Santa was stirred by a thought:

“Why is it more often than not,

That only humans get presents for Christmas?

I think I can be more ambitious.

This year, every animal that puts up a tree

Will receive a present from me!”

The animals listened and marveled and cheered

And all kept busy as Christmas neared.

Spider Sofia spun threads silky and white

In skillful mastery all through the night.

With stern determination

She picked the perfect location.

Then she pulled and knotted and crossed and tied

With growing satisfaction and pride

High up in an apple tree.

Her small wishful heart was full with glee

When the silvery light of the moon shone bright

On the first ever tree made from silk and light.

Dragon Desmond lay still for hours and thought

About a tree that could never be bought.

Then he sat on his hind legs and raised his head high

Collected his fiery breath and let fly

Flames that glistened and crackled and danced,

Blazed and shone and pranced.

For only a second the most beautiful tree

More beautiful than any you’d ever see

Lit up amazingly clever

Before it was gone forever.

Pug Peggy had problems to figure out

What the Christmas fuss was all about.

Until her lonely heart and her itchy thigh

And her owner’s half-hearted sad “goodbye”

Reminded her of an urgent wish

That made her decorate something beautiful-ish:

She grabbed a bone and a bauble as well

Stuck them together and sat down to dwell.

She desperately hoped that Santa would see

The simple beauty of her bony tree.

Snow fell slowly,

Humans sang of god’s glory

And Santa was happier than ever

As he saw the animals endeavour:

All over the world, they built trees of snow,

Trees that glitter and shine and crackle and glow.

Santa saw trees made of wood or air,

Of dewdrops or lava or hair.

He giggled and gaped and cheered and laughed

He was touched and moved and amazed by their craft.

Full of joy he flew through the night

Dropping presents with great delight

For his new-found animal friends

Who lived in deserts and forests and dens.

Spider Sofia got four fat flies

You must know she likes them better than pies!

Dragon Desmond got a sweater in his size,

And admired himself with awe in his eyes.

Pug Peggy got the greatest gift in this rhyme

A new home, a new owner with lots of time.

If Christmas nears and you are outside

On a walk, a cruise, a drive or a ride,

Watch out for unusual trees

Made by dogs or frogs or bees.

You might see them in the sky

Made of clouds or rainbows or a sigh.

If you see such a tree than you will know:

Santa loves them! Ho ho ho!

Photo: Jackie Best on Unsplash