The Village Beneath The Great Tree #8

"The clock kept ticking onward to Christmas Day." "The tinsel was admittedly more of a challenge to traverse than the branches of the great tree, but they were soon two thirds of the way up." "The unlikely heroes could see a small glimpse of the faint glow of the star at the very top." "They were beginning to grow tired, but seeing that they were close to their destination gave them a much-needed glimmer of hope inside." "Cecil and Emmett were pausing for a quick rest when they heard an unusual sound." "It was low and brief, a sort of... hoot." "Another dweller of the tree: A small wooden owl with beady black eyes and a small beak, but with an air of regality and a warm, welcoming wisdom." "With the flapping of a wing, he beckoned the climbers over, which they did so at once." "Just as they did with Gunther, the two brothers recited the story of the fallen golden shard in the town square of their home, Little Pinesworth." "They explained that they needed help to bring it back up to the very top of the tree so that it can shine at it's brightest again." "With a long, slow hoot, the owl introduced himself." "His name was Horace, and he had seen many a Christmas from his perch on the great tree." "He claims to have once seen a most unusual phenomenon:" "A big man dressed in red with a white beard and carrying a big, heavy sack of colorful boxes with him." "He had quite a few names: Santa Claus, Father Christmas, Sinterklaas, Saint Nicholas... they went on and on." "After exchanging his fair share of tales, Horace agreed to help Cecil and Emmett." "He would fly to and from the tree to gather his friends and head down to the bottom to lift the shard with Gunther's." "Things seemed to be looking up for the duo as they thanked Horace graciously." "They promised to show him around Little Pinesworth when everything was set right, an offer the old wooden owl agreed to."