A Children's Christmas Tale    

'The Adventure Of The Tree'   

By: Sir James Prescott      

Maximilian wanted nothing more this Christmas than to spend time with his best friend, Nailimixam. Both of the boys, best and most dear to each other, agreed long ago that school mattered not, as to their allegience towards one another. That together, forever best friends, they shall always be. So this winter should be no different than the others.

Both boys' spirits were high this Christmas season. Both amibitious for this short, but welcomed holiday and both eager to continue as if they had never left summer. First there was the continuation of their jumping game, then the telling of their lessons and the gossip of their courts, and of course the planning for the adventure to find the most wonderful Christmas trees!

Most of all, the boys couldn't wait for the adventure of the tree. The finding of the perfect Christmas tree. The one all will see. The one all will help to decorate. The grand tree! The tree that everyone says, "Oh, it's the most lovely tree we've ever seen." It was the most fun. It was the reason for the winter holiday in the boys' minds.

And this winter would offer the same excitement, and some unexpected heart-filled wonderment.

The boys absolutely couldn't wait to see one another.

Away from home, Nailimixam waited impatiently. His parents, it would appear, didn't want to leave their friends quite yet. It would seem that they were having such a grand time visiting, that they had forgotten that in their homeland they too celebrated Christmas; which by the way, still had many needs and preparations.

But you would never know of Nailimixam's impatience by way of his courteous behavior. He was the quintessential gentleman. Never ill-mannered, never unnecessarily cross. Just patient. And presently, just waiting, yearning for his Holiday to begin.

Now, he felt he had waited long enough. "Afterall, it wasn't just any ordinary holiday, and his parents did overstay their intended visit by days already", he thought. So, Nailimixam swallowed hard, stood tall and approached his father.

He said kindly and courageously, "Father, it's time, don't you think? We have duties at home." He began again, "We have to begin the finding of the tree."

His father's eyes lit up. "Yes, the tree."

And Nailimixam was glad, relieved he spoke-up.

The family bid their farewells, had their belongings packed and went for their long journey home.

Nailimixam planned for his adventure in his mind as the horses gained a rhythmic gate. Now that the long journey home had finally begun, it seemed he was more anxious than ever to be home. His mind wondered onto Maximilian.

Maximilian grew extremely impatient. Not understanding where his friend was at this late date in the holiday. He harnessed his restlessness and went to the stable. There he saddled his horse. He was determined to find his friend, Nailimixam. He would travel to Nailimixam's Court.

While traveling, Maximilian could not help himself. He found the temptation of searching and looking at every tree as a prospective Christmas tree far too great. Afterall, he was there, with the trees; but just looking. And there was no harm in looking. Although most of the fun was in the looking. He'd wondered what had kept Nailimixam from not meeting him days ago. But before he could finish that thought, he heard a lovely bird sing. This bird caught his attention as he thought it may be a signal from Nailimixam. When Maximilian turned to look, his eyes caught sight of the perfect tree. It was a little off in the distance, but he needed to have a closer view. It may be the one. The special tree. So, off Maximilian went.

As he rode off of the trail, Maximilian blazed his own trail. He chopped little Christmas trees and left a tiny trail of trees. He knew Nailimixam was always with him.maybe not physically, but within his world. He was anxious to see the tree and anxious for Nailimixam to see the tree.

Nailimixam and his parents finally arrived at their castle.

Nailimixam knew he was days late for the traditional search for the tree. He also knew it would take hours to journey to his best friend, Maximilian's. He was so anxious. So excited for the adventure. So thrilled for the holiday! He couldn't wait. He had to ready for the journey.

His parents also knew how much the 'search for the tree' meant to him. So, they prepared him food, as a means of encouragement for him to journey to his best friend's castle. The parents thought that if he journeyed now, he would be in time for Maximilian's dinner and be able to rest there and get a bright and early start for the adventure. So, with food tray in hand, they knocked and opened Nailimixam's door. When they opened the door they all laughed at each other. It would appear that everyone was excited about the searching of the tree! Nailimixam was dressed and packed. The parent's bundled the food and rushed him out.

Nailimixam's horse was saddled and already prepared for him, and any emergency that may arise. He thanked the stable-boy and gave his parents enormous hugs and kisses. He mounted. His heart lifted at the thought of being with his best friend, Maximilian.

He waved and rode off. His parents waved proudly as their not-so-little child "metaphorically" took his reigns and rode off for adventure, for a tradition. The searching and the finding of the tree. He thought of Maximilian.

Maximilian stared at the tree. It was brilliant. It was tall, stately, wide and had strong branches. It was perfect. Everything you could ask for in a tree. It was obvious that this tree would gracefully hold all types of ornaments. And the branches were scattered apart in just the right way to perfectly display each and every decoration. And the one next to it was just as perfect. Nailimixam would be pleased.

In Maximilian's excitement, he began to chop the tree. But he stopped.

He thought he'd heard something. Nothing. But, that moment of silence and intense listening made Maximilian think of Nailimixam, and he deeply missed him.

Maximilian never resumed chopping. Rather, he marked his tree with a wreath of broken branches and marked the tree he'd chosen for Nailimixam with an arrow of branches. Then he mounted his horse. Just in time too, the sky was beginning to darken. His horse whinnied with hunger. Maximilian told him he too was hungry. Off they went, following the tiny tree trail he'd laid.

THE BOYS

Maximilian was the first to awaken. He ran to the window only to find a fresh blanketing of fallen snow. Nailimixam rose and before he could rub the night's sleep away from his eyes, Maximilian tossed him his boots. "The clouds are coming", he stated. "We've not much time, and today's the day."

Nailimixam dressed. A light knock at the door produced one of the manservants who brought in breakfast. Maximilian gathered the entire tray's food in one cloth, thanked him and off went the boys. The manservant wished them luck on their quest.

Maximilian told him he didn't need luck, he merely needed to find his trail!

Well, the boys were off in search of that perfect tree.

Although Maximilian was looking for his marked trail, he did have an eye out for a new perfect tree.

Finding the premarked trees Maximilian found didn't matter to Nailimixam. He was just enjoying the holiday tree search with his best friend. He didn't care one way or the other if they ever found the tiny tree trail.

Nailimixam dismounted; perched himself high on a boulder and scanned the area for trees.

Maximilian also dismounted and on an adjacent boulder called out. "There's one! There's one of my markers! It's one of my tiny trees!"

Both boys jumped upon their horses and galloped off, Maximilian leading. But when they reached the tiny tree, it was gone!

And although the tree was mysteriously missing and no where to be seen, what was seen was far more interesting. Tracks. Sliding tracks. Tree dragging, sliding tracks.

The boys followed and tracked the tracks.

The clouds grew more ominous and enveloped them within their grayness.

As they followed the tracks, and the sun seemed to be getting lower, laughter became apparent. They could now see smoke clearly burning from a grouping of many small building.

The clouds began dusting them with a light, dry, snow. They knew they hadn't much time.

As they approached the clearing, they saw it! The tree! Completely decorated in the center of a village!! And more children were placing more ornaments upon it! But the ornaments were not ornate. They were not guilded. They were hand-crafted from common trash.

Hidden away, unseen by all, Nailimixam agreed with Maximilian regarding the tree. Maximilian had indeed chosen the perfect tree. And he was also right, the ornaments did indeed hang beautifully upon the branches. And every ornament was able to be seen through the peek-a-boo vacant sections of the branches. Yes, it was a great tree. Maximilian had done a fine, fine job in finding the tree.

The children decorating this perfect tree were poor. Very poor. Trading and sharing blankets to keep warm in order to run back and forth to place the ornaments upon the tree. No one was outside except for the children who were braving the cold and placing the ornaments upon the trees' willing branches.

Nailimixam and Maximilian just watched. They said nothing to one another. They just watched and then left in silence; a heart felt silence.

The beauty of the children having fun in their own way, touched the boys in a way with which they had never experienced.

The boys followed their trail and the light dusting of the horses' snow prints. They easily returned to the felled spot of the tiny trees. Within moments they found the original tree site. Maximilian found the cut tree. He looked at the trunk. Odd he thought. He hadn't know this ax chop. Upon closer examination by the two boys, they realized that it wasn't chopped. And there upon the ground was a wedge and some rocks. Interesting they thought.

The tree was felled by using a method they had never seen. It would appear that this poor village hadn't a proper ax. After their deduction, Maximilian showed Nailimixam the tree he'd marked and chosen for him. At least it was still there. Nailimixam was thrilled and grateful and agreed that it was also a 'perfect' tree and insisted that Maximilian keep that one for himself and that he would take another.

The boys chopped that tree and the one next to it for themselves and their families. As they chopped, they thought of their fortunes.axes, blankets, wood, food, warmth; which before today, they had never regarded as fortunes, only tools and necessities. Not much was said, mostly pondered and heart-felt.

Upon returning to Maximilian's castle, the boys gathered some extra ornaments, candles and holders they no longer used. They placed them in a sack. A manservant arrived with a snack. Maximilian gathered all of the food from the tray and took it with them. Soon the manservant returned with extra coats and blankets. No one said a word. The manservant merely wished them warmth and grace.

The stable-boy had a small wagon attached to Maximilian's horse. He helped to load the cart with the donated necessities and then disappeared in a run, returning to the comfort of his stable. Maximilian mounted his horse then quickly dismounted and ran into the woodshed and then into the slaughterhouse. He returned with an ax and a side of meat. And with that, the boys were off, again.

The drizzling and light dusting of the dry snow insured the boys that their tracks would still be fresh and visible. Off they rode.food, ornaments, warm clothes, blankets, an ax and a fresh hunk of salted meat.

As they arrived at the unknown tiny village, the sun had almost completely disappeared, making the air especially chilly. It was now far too cold for these villagers to go outside at all. Maximilian and Nailimixam quietly crept up to the tree. They couldn't help but place a couple of gilded ornaments upon the tree. They unloaded the goods from their cart under a tree. To be certain it would be discovered, they made an arrow from branches and set the arrow pointing directly at the tree with the gifts.

Maximilian said, "I like the way my tree looks here".

Nailimixam agreed, "it's perfect, here".

And together the boys set off to decorate their most perfect trees.

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