Living along a northern ocean coastline, we looked
forward to a winter full moon night. We would put on our
cross-country skis and warmest clothes and go out
on the pathways along the ocean to ski in the
full moon light. The bright moon and the white snow lit
the night up like day, and on especially cold nights, when
the snow was crusty on top, the world glistened like
shining diamonds. This story was inspired by those nights.
When we skied home again, hot chocolate was waiting
for us and our very rosy cheeks.
Pipper's Winter Blue Moon Adventure
It was a cold January evening, and Pipper the Pond Pixie sat in his little house tucked away in the thick reeds of a large pond, very close to the Saint Vrain Riverway. It was a particularly cold winter, and all of his friends had either gone south to keep warm, were sleeping all winter, or were nestled in their own cozy houses. Pipper was warming himself by his woodstove having a hot cup of peppermint tea. He was lonely for someone to play with.
His house sign still announced that Pipper the Pond Pixie lived there. Welcome Friends, the sign said. But no one passed by on cold winter days.
‘Well!’ said Pipper,’It is a beautiful Blue Moon night. I will go out and enjoy it by myself!’ So he put on his red cap and striped scarf, his mittens and extra socks. He pulled on his ice skates and went out.
As Pipper’s house was right on a pond that joined with a river, he only had to take a big step to get to the ice. The pond and river were frozen for miles and miles of winding ice. The Blue Moon cast a blue light on the icy pond and Pipper was enchanted. ‘I will skate and enjoy this beautiful night,’ he declared, and off he set.
He sped across the pond and started skating down the river. Around one corner he saw something twinkling in the moonlight up ahead. It seemed to be hopping and zig-zagging here and there in a great hurry. Pipper sped up to see what it was.
Much to his surprise and delight it was Jack Frost, the ice picture painter himself! ‘Hello Jack Frost,’ said Pipper, ‘What are you doing?’
Jack Frost looked at Pipper the Pond Pixie, and said, ‘You are here just in time to help me! It is an especially cold winter night and I have so much to paint with my frost brush, I need a helper!’ He pulled another frost brush out of his coat pocket and handed it to Pipper.
‘I would love to help you!’ replied a very excited Pipper.
Off the two went, Pipper gliding on his skates, painting the river way and trees and winter grasses and reeds with the frost brush. Jack Frost kept hopping and zig-zagging here and there. They painted the world with glistening pictures. All night long they painted and played, and sang, and explored.
Jack Frost and Pipper were having such a wonderful time, Jack Frost did not notice the sun coming up! ‘Oh dear, I was having so much fun I did not see the sun rising. I am starting to melt!’ He hid in the shade of a big river rock.
Pipper had an idea. ‘Jack Frost come with me’, he called out. As Pipper quickly skated toward home, Jack Frost hopped from shady stone and tree and followed him. When they got to the little house on the pond, Pipper opened the door to his ‘cold cellar’, where he stored his apples, and carrots, and pumpkins.
‘Stay down here Jack Frost, until night comes, you will keep cold and please do have an apple if you wish!’ Pipper made Jack Frost a large ice drink, and joined him with a hot chocolate with marshmallows for himself.
When the sun set and night settled over the pond, it was once again very cold. Perfect for Jack Frost who thanked his new dear friend and went off to paint the world with his icy paintings again.
Pipper yawned and crawled into his warm bed and slept very well indeed.
Many times through the winter Pipper and Jack Frost played together and became the best of friends.
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