Tohdoh's First Christmas - A Gentle Warm Sleep Story

Hi,

This is Stefania,

And we've got a lovely original Christmas story for you.

It's about a little bear who experiences his very,

Very,

Very first Christmas.

It's called Toto's First Christmas.

Deep in the snowy pineberry forest where the icicles sparkled like tiny stars and the winter breeze hummed old songs,

Lived a little bear cub named Toto.

Toto had wide,

Curious eyes,

Soft,

Fuzzy fur,

And a heart that fluttered with excitement about every new thing he discovered.

This year,

Something extraordinary was happening.

It was Toto's very first Christmas.

Chapter 1.

The Forest of Sparkles One frosty morning,

Toto and his older sister,

Bella,

Hurried down the snowy path towards Blueberry Hollow.

The forest was shimmering,

Glittering frost on every branch,

Tiny snowflakes drifting like feathers.

Bella!

Toto gasps.

Look at the Grumblies' house!

Mr.

And Mrs.

Grumbly were hanging jars filled with glowing fireflies along the roof of their den.

Mr.

Grumbly waved.

First Christmas for you,

Little cubs.

Just wait till you meet the great Santa Bear.

Toto's mouth flew open.

Santa Bear?

Bella explained.

He's the one who brings presents to all the cubs on Christmas Eve.

Mr.

Grumbly chuggled.

And if you listen closely on Christmas night,

You might hear him humming.

Toto's imagination lit up like a lantern.

But they wandered farther and reached the homes of the twin cubs,

Lulu and Mimi.

Their doorway was framed with shimmering icicles arranged in rainbow patterns.

Toto!

Bella!

Look!

Mimi jumped up and down.

Our mom let us make a snow crystal wreath.

It sparkles like fairy dust.

Lulu added proudly.

Toto?

Toto stared,

Mesmerized.

It's beautiful.

How did you?

It took all morning,

Mimi said.

But it's worth it.

Santa Bear will see it from far away.

And he'll know where to bring our presents,

Lulu giggled.

What presents?

Toto whispered.

Oh,

Loads!

I asked for snowberry cookies,

A toy drum,

And I asked for skating boots,

Lulu said.

What about you,

Toto?

Toto rubbed his paws together.

I'm not sure yet.

Bella nudged him.

You'll think of something.

But Toto felt a small twist in his tummy as they continued on their walk.

Everyone knew exactly what Christmas meant.

Everyone had decorations.

Everyone had plans.

He didn't.

Yet.

Chapter Two.

The Bear Den.

When they reached home,

Toto burst through the entrance.

Mama?

Papa?

We saw decorations everywhere.

And fireflies and jaws and icicles shaped like stars,

He babbled.

But then he stopped mid-sentence.

Their den looked exactly the same as always.

No wreath.

No lights.

No tree.

No sparkle.

Mama Greta kneaded bread dough at the table,

While Papa Grok stirred a pop of thick winter soup.

Toto stepped forward slowly.

Mama,

Where are our decorations?

Papa paused,

Stirring.

A gentle sadness flickered across his face,

While Mama wiped her paws on her apron.

My sweet one,

We won't have decorations this year.

Toto's voice shrank.

But everyone else does.

Papa knelt down beside them.

We didn't save enough this winter.

Food and warm coats came first.

And presents?

Bella asked quietly.

Mama shook her head.

Not this year.

Toto sat down hard as though his paws had suddenly become too heavy.

But it's Christmas,

He whispered.

Papa pulled them both into a hug.

Christmas is still Christmas,

Little ones.

Decorations aren't what makes us special.

But Toto felt something sink inside him.

It didn't felt cold.

Plain and empty.

And for the first time,

Christmas felt a little far away.

Chapter Three.

Trouble at School The next day at Winter Cup School,

Everyone buzzed with Christmas chatter.

Bruno the bear cub proudly carried a list of gifts almost as long as he was tall.

Toto,

I'm asking Santa Bear for a racing sled.

Lulu twirled,

I'm getting peppermint boots.

Mimi held a tin shaped like a star.

Look what Mama already baked for Santa Bear.

Toto swallowed.

I,

Um,

I don't know what Santa Bear will bring me.

Bruno looks confused.

Didn't you tell your parents what to ask Santa Bear?

Toto stared at the snow.

Not yet.

Oh,

Mimi gasped.

Maybe Santa Bear wants to surprise you.

Toto forced a smile.

Yes,

Maybe.

But Bella,

She was watching him.

She was watching him quietly and she saw the truth.

His shoulders were drooping.

His eyes didn't sparkle the way they usually did.

She squeezed his paw gently.

We'll figure something out,

She whispered.

Chapter Four The Idea That Changed Everything After school,

Toto slumped at the doorway of their plain den.

He stared at the bear walls.

Bella sat beside him.

I know it's disappointing.

Toto sniffed.

Our home doesn't feel like Christmas at all.

Bella lifted his chin.

Then let's make it feel like Christmas.

Oh,

By making our own decorations.

You mean from scratch?

Yes,

From whatever we can find in the forest,

We'll make it beautiful.

Bella,

That's the best idea ever.

Chapter Five The Forest Workshop The next morning,

The siblings hurried into the woods with baskets.

Let's collect anything pretty,

Bella said.

So they gathered pine cones with frosty tips,

Bright red winter berries,

Twig stars shaped like snowflakes,

Soft green moss,

Shiny stones,

Delicate icicle shards,

And little feathers left behind by winter birds.

Toto piled the baskets so high he could hardly see over them.

Bella,

Look at all this.

It's like we found treasure.

Suddenly,

A squeaky voice piped up.

What are you doing with all that?

It was Pip,

The chipmunk.

She stuffed with nuts.

We're making decorations,

Toto beamed.

Pip tilted his head.

But,

But,

I thought your den was bare.

Toto's smile faded.

We can't afford decorations this year.

Bella nodded.

So we're making our own.

Pip's eyes softened.

He had an idea.

Wait here.

He darted away and returned with a pile of shiny acorn caps.

These look like tiny golden bells.

Toto gasped.

Pip,

They're perfect.

Suddenly,

Two squirrels leapt down from a branch,

Nati and Niña.

We heard.

Nati chattered.

We want to help.

Niña held up a long vine.

We can braid this into garlands.

Then Velvet,

The young deer,

Stepped forward gracefully.

I can spare a few soft strands for my winter coat.

They make beautiful ribbon.

Soon,

Birds fluttered down,

Dropping feathers and shiny pebbles at their feet.

Toto looked around at the gathering friends and he was so overwhelmed.

Bella,

Everyone is helping us.

Bella wrapped her arm around him.

That's what happens when hearts care.

Chapter Six Bringing Christmas Home By the time they returned home,

Their baskets overflowed.

Mama Greta gasped.

What is all this?

Papa chuckled in disbelief.

Did you two carry the whole forest back with you?

Toto puffed out his chest proudly.

We're decorating the den.

And you two can help,

Bella added.

Mama's voice caught.

Oh,

Little ones,

This is beautiful.

So together they transformed the den.

Bella wove winter berry garlands across the windows.

Mama placed soft moss across the mantle.

Papa carved tiny star shapes from bark.

Toto,

He hung shiny acorn bells along the doorway.

When they stepped back,

The room glowed with warmth and color.

Mama,

Toto whispered.

Our den looks like Christmas.

Mama kissed his head.

Because you brought Christmas into it.

You turned something small into something special,

Papa nodded.

But the magic was just beginning.

Chapter Seven The Forest Learns the Truth That evening,

Hip scampered into the Grumblies' den.

You won't believe what Toto and Bella did,

He squeaked.

Nutty and Ninja told the Blueberry Hollow Twins.

Velvet told the Woodland Deer.

And soon everybody knew.

Toto had been trying so hard to be brave.

And the forest felt a tender tug in their hearts.

The great Pineberry Forest was big.

But the spirit of its creatures was even bigger.

Chapter Eight A Christmas Surprise The next morning,

Toto and Bella went outside to play in the snow.

Ready to make snow,

Angels?

Bella asked.

But Toto didn't answer.

Because he was staring at a huge crowd gathered outside their den.

Surprise,

The entire forest chorus shouted.

Bruno held up a bright red sled.

My dad and I made you a second one.

Mimi handed Bella a little wrapped box.

We brought a few small presents from our homes.

Lulu hugged Toto.

We wanted your first Christmas to be magical,

Too.

Velvet stepped forward with a soft bundle.

A scarf I made for you.

The birds chirped and dropped tiny berries into their paws.

The squirrels offered little wooden beads they'd carved.

Toto hugged the handful of gifts to his chest.

You,

You all,

You all did this for us?

Pip hopped onto his shoulder.

Of course,

Christmas is for sharing.

Bella wiped her eyes.

We thought no one knew.

Bruno grinned.

We knew enough and we wanted to help.

Mama and Papa stood at the doorway,

Stunned.

She whispered,

They're all so kind.

This forest is our treasure.

Papa nodded.

Chapter Nine Christmas Eve Magic That night,

The whole forest gathered around a warm fire pit.

They roasted chestnuts,

Sang old winter songs,

And shared stories.

The Grumblies told the tale of the first Santa bear.

Lulu demonstrated her peppermint boots.

Bruno taught everyone a silly snow dance that made the birds nearly fall off their branches,

Laughing.

Toto sat snug between Mama and Papa,

With Bella curled beside him.

Mama,

I thought Christmas needed decorations and presents.

Those things are lovely,

Little one,

But they're not Christmas itself.

Papa smiled warmly.

Christmas is what happens in here.

And he tapped Toto's heart.

Toto looked at his friends,

Laughing and sharing and caring.

I think I understand now.

That night,

The great Santa bear himself wandered through the forest,

Leaving tiny treats.

And when he reached Toto's den,

He paused.

This is the true spirit of Christmas.

He murmured.

Chapter 10 The Best Christmas Morning Ever On Christmas morning,

Toto woke to a soft light streaming in.

Bella shook him excitedly.

Toto!

Toto!

Look!

Under their winter tree,

Their tiny treat were small gifts.

A carved wooden fox.

A little star drum.

Snowberry biscuits.

Pip's shiny acorn bell.

A warm scarf from Velvet.

And a tiny beaded necklace from Nutty and Nina.

Toto touched each one,

Everyone,

With awe.

They gave so much.

My favorite part was how everyone made us feel.

Loved.

He nodded.

Loved.

Mama brought in warm coca.

Papa held them close.

Merry Christmas,

Little cubs.

And Toto smiled.

The biggest smile ever.

It's the best Christmas ever.

Papa kissed the top of his head.

Because you filled it with kindness and friendship.

And in the heart of Pineberry Forest,

Where laughter echoed and snow sparkled like magic,

Toto's very first Christmas became a story told for generations.

A story of love,

Community,

And the simple magic of caring.

And that's the end of our story.

I hope that you have the most wonderful Christmas ever.

Whether they're presents or not,

You are loved.

And you're amazing.

Have the most wonderful Christmas ever.

Bye for now.