Robin’s Festive Season

Robin had always loved Christmas time…

From the time the crimson gifts of autumn gently painted the rich orange ink so warmly on his feathers in October, he only wondered where he, and all of the other robins may spend the festive season.

Would they fly far up high where the treetops freeze in a winter wonderland?

Would they scurry over holly and dance over berries on the crunchy maple leaf earth?

Would they make festive music with the magpies and play xylophone with bits of twigs on the sides of tree bark?

Would they make figgy pudding or mince pies out of muddy puddles and pine, as they perch on the window sills of warm, wintery cottages?

Robin wondered and pondered as he perched on his own.

Every year, Robin had dreamed of meeting, and even helping, a very special man. He was so special that he was known to all of the robins, and although the robins had a very special chirp for his name, we humans call him Santa Claus!

But there was a problem. Robin had always felt that he was the odd one out.

Robin’s feathers were not as big, or as bold as the other robins he grew up with.

Nor were his streaks of colour as loud or as eye catching as the other robins.

Robin could not fly as high and, worst of all, he was terribly, terribly, slow when he rose in the air.

It is known, however, that robins are a deeply loyal and kind bunch, which is why we humans always stop and stare when one flutters into our garden!

Suddenly, a man dressed in his Christmas jumper came into the room that Robin was watching from his perch upon the window sill. The man saw Robin and beamed a big smile and looked so happy to see him!

Robin felt like he had the best feathers in the world when he saw that smile!

This gave Robin a thought... Santa brings every human the same joy, and Robin wanted to be part of that!

It was time to give up the seat at his everyday cinema, for a real part in the Christmas stories.

So, on a snowy Christmas eve, Robin decided that he would spend his day finding, and helping, Santa Claus.

He knew that if he helped Santa Claus he would feel that special feeling of happiness and pride all year round!

But there were doubts in Robin’s mind.

“Santa has all those strong, beautiful Reindeer. He doesn’t need a little bird like me.” He thought, feeling a sense of sadness.

Then he thought a little harder.

“Santa is the most generous person in the universe. He gives presents to every man, woman and child on Earth! He has such a kind spirit that he would let me help him, I’m sure of it!” Robin said to himself, stirring up courage and determination.

He remembered all the Christmas stories he had heard from his perch on the windowsill. When the mothers and fathers had sat their children down to talk to them about the magic of Santa Claus.

To a robin like Robin, this chit chatter sounded rather like poetry. The magical stories of Christmas time were so musical and jovial coming from rosy cheeked little ones. Other people’s stories about Santa always made Robin feel fuzzy.

Robin just had to know more.

Robin just had to meet Santa Claus.

The air that usually made Robin feel fragile and chilly, pumped Robin’s impassioned lungs and felt for the first time in a long time… hopeful.

If Robin were to meet the famed Santa Claus, and maybe other festive friends, he knew that he would need resources.

The first thing that Robin needed was food for fuel he may just need on his quest.

Flying down to the ground, Robin made a wonderful robust birdie backpack from yarn and mistletoe. He packed a day's worth of muddy mince pies and forested Figgy pudding.

Robin knew that this would certainly give him fuel.

His Grandmother, Roberta Robin, saw Robin scuttling around and knew that he must be doing something very important.

“Grandmother, I am off to see Santa Claus.” Robin declared proudly.

Roberta Robin smiled and reached into her feathers to produce a small present for her Grandson.

This trinket, a small silver pendant she once found in the snow, was her most special possession.

“Take this with you Robin! It will help you remember that whether on your daily matters out and about, or gearing up to meet someone as prolific as Santa Claus, you will realise that it is much better to be brave than be the biggest, the strongest, or the fastest Robin around.’’

So Robin gently packed Roberta Robin’s wisdom into his handmade birdie backpack, and he found that it sat rather finely underneath the mistletoe bow, and rather snug with just enough room not to squash his muddy mince pies and forested Figgy pudding.

Robin hugged Roberta Robin goodbye.

Their feathers entwined dearly to say farewell.

‘’Now...I just need to find the way.’’ Robin reminded himself softly, as he looked up into the sky.

And with that, Robin began his magical quest.

The snow fell down on Robin’s head so gently and lovingly, that it was almost as if each and every sherbet snowdrop was there to give him hope, one snowflake at a time.

The snow didn’t stop, so neither did Robin.

Robin’s feathers felt just a bit bolder as he flew, flew, and flew.

The fairy lights that lit the trees from miles and miles below looked like train tracks that Robin followed in the spirit of a Christmas compass, from the comfort of the clouds.

And as he flittered, just as beautifully he fluttered, and sang winter wonderland to himself at least ten times, before something very special happened indeed.

As Robin soared through the clouds, he could only wonder when he may bump into a red nosed reindeer or indeed, a jolly red cheeked Santa Claus.

Robin rested his wings because as he flew so eagerly through the sky, he realised that he may need to stop and look in his birdie backpack for a bit of fuel.

Though the cloud that he nestled in was no ordinary cloud.

This particular cloud had a cafe where birds that had to make long trips through the sky could stop and recharge.

Robin was met with hot chocolate made by a kind hearted birdie barista, and was truly warmed by the spirit of generosity. Kind spirits were always Robin’s favourite thing about Christmas time.

Infact, Robin enjoyed his hot chocolate with a muddy mince pie. He just knew they would come in handy.

As Robin warmed his beak with the snuggly cuddle of the hot coco, the Robin barista put one feather lovingly around Robin.

‘’I can see that you are on a very special quest, but let me give you some advice, from one robin to another, in the spirit of Christmas…’’

Robin perked his ears up right away.

‘’If you find what makes you special, Santa will find you.’’

Robin felt puzzled. He didn’t know what made him special.

All he knew was that his feathers were a bit shorter than other robins and that he was slower and not as strong as the other robins.

Robin remained in a thoughtful state until he remembered the golden words of Roberta Robin…

“Courage!” He chirped suddenly!

“I am the bravest robin there is!”

So, Robin smiled and took the last gulp of his hot coco and he thanked the kind robin birdie barista for the wise words, and flew as high as he could.

Perhaps if he could fly as high as Santa’s sleigh, he would be as magical as the Reindeer.

And in the haze of snow and his quest, he began to fly higher and higher.

Every bone in his tiny birdie body was telling him to stop. He was tired and cold and tired and cold and tired and cold!

But he carried on, fuelled by courage, thinking of the trinket Roberta had given him, until finally a flash of red emerged behind the clouds.

A faint jingle of a bell, and a hearty laugh, could be heard in the distance…

‘’At last!’’ Robin beamed.

Robin still flew up and up and up.

But he just couldn’t quite catch up.

So, he puffed his little birdie cheeks and tried again and… still couldn’t quite catch up.

It was just no use!

But still he carried on, until with the last ounce of strength he had in his tiny little wings he heard the sound of jingle bells get closer and closer, and the wind suddenly carried him faster than he’d ever gone before!

In all the excitement he started singing his Christmas songs, the most beautiful chirps that any robin could have ever sung!

Then came a hearty bellow somewhere behind the clouds.

“Robin! You’re my guiding light! I need your Christmas songs to lead the way - the Reindeer and I can’t see through these clouds - I would never dream of letting a child down at Christmas, we need your help Robin!

Robin kicked into action - he continued to bellow out his Christmas songs so that the words of each fell into the sky and mapped out the way like little road signs of magic.

Santa in his sleigh followed the trail and, with Robin’s help, they visited every home and blessed them with gifts. Santa knew that Robin needed food to keep going, so he always saved a little of the treats left for him at the bottom of chimneys and gave a few crumbs to boost Robin’s reserves.

Robin saw every country, and some were much, much warmer than England. It felt so strange that some people have Christmas in the sun!

It was a Christmas night that Robin never forgot.

Robin went all the way back to the north pole with Santa and the sleigh and Santa invited him into his green and red cottage with Mrs Claus.

Mrs Claus welcomed Robin into the nest of her welcoming palm, and she brought him under the protection of her deep red Christmas cloak that warmed the whole room.

‘’Robin, you helped Santa fly the sleigh tonight, and more importantly, helped every boy and girl get their Christmas presents and helped protect the magic of Christmas. You are magical beyond the night sky, or beyond Christmas, you are magical because you helped someone in need, and you should cherish that feeling forever more.’’

‘’You helped steer the direction of the sleigh and the Christmas spirit. Your voice and your spirit is powerful beyond flying very fast, or having a red nose, or a white beard.’’ Santa spoke gently, kindly.

“We think you should help us every year!” They said.

Robin felt overcome. Santa wanted him to help every year - with all the magic and the happiness and gift giving and mince pies, he was so happy he could have burst!

“Of course I will help you every year!” Robin said enthusiastically - fluttering his wings on the spot.

So, if you see a robin in your garden at Christmas time, be sure to say…

“Have a Merry Christmas Robin, and a Happy New Year!”