Gusts in the Gums – For Christmas - fourth story
By Michael Kendall
Illustrations by Emma Pinferi
Waddling Wally Wombat and Pretty Penny Platypus were standing by the gum tree at the creek.
“What an exciting time of the year!” exclaimed Penny.
“Christmas is very exciting,” said Wally.
“How shall we celebrate Christmas?” asked Penny.
“We can decorate this gum tree,” suggested Wally.
“How will we decorate the tree?” asked Penny.
“Well, we can ask for help from Merry Molly Magpie. She can fly all the decorations to the different parts of the tree. Can you ask Molly if she will do this before Christmas?” asked Wally.
“Yes, I will ask her when I see her next,” said Penny excitedly.
Just then Penny and Wally heard an excited SQUWARK!, then “Yes I can do that for you,” said Molly. Molly had been sitting in the gum tree listening to Penny and Wally.
Molly had flown down from the gum tree and was dancing around excitedly. “I can show off all my shiny objects that I collect,” said Molly.
“And I can put pretty pink decorations on the tree,” said Penny.
Wally thought hard but could not think what he was going to do for decorations. While the girls were talking excitedly and Wally was thinking deeply, without noticing, Lying Lionel Lizard had quietly appeared, almost out of nowhere.
“Hello Wally,” said Lionel
“Hello Lionel,” said Wally who was a bit startled by Lionel.
“What is all the excitement about?” said Lionel.
“Well we are going to decorate the gum tree for Christmas,” said Wally.
Lionel liked the idea of Christmas, as he thought he might get lots of presents.
Wally liked the idea of Christmas as he thought he may get lots to eat.
“I can't think what to put on the tree for decorations,” said Wally.
Lionel had his bag of lollies with him and had an idea.
“I will give you half of my lollies to put on the tree, if I can be part of the fun” said Lionel.
Wally was feeling a bit hungry as he usually does and said to Lionel “Yes I like that idea,”.
Lionel likes Penny and thought he may impress Penny with his colourful lollies.
“I will ask Penny and Molly if we can put lollies on the tree,” said Wally. Wally called to Penny and Molly, who had not noticed Lionel had arrived.
Penny and Molly came over and said hello to Lionel politely. Lionel said hello back, with a big sneaky smile. This may be my way of getting a present thought Lionel.
Wally told Penny and Molly of Lionel's idea and asked whether they may like to add lollies to the tree as decorations. Wally was not too sure if lollies on the tree was a good idea or not. Wally would rather have a lolly to eat now.
Penny and Molly agreed to let the boys put lollies on the tree.
So everyone worked hard on decorating the Christmas gum tree.
“Tonight, Santa will know we live here and tomorrow morning there maybe presents at the bottom of the tree,” said Wally excitedly.
“Yes,” said everyone.
“My lollies look lovely!” said Lionel to Penny.
“Yes they do,” said Penny to Lionel.
Lionel was so happy he nearly burst with pride.
At the end of the day everyone was tired, but excited.
“We should all go home to bed early,” said Lionel. Lionel was looking at his lollies on the tree. What a waste of my lollies thought Lionel.
I will come back later and get them when everyone goes, he thought.
After everyone had finished admiring their tree and decorations, they all went home to get an early night. Except Lionel, who pretended to go home.
It was dusk and the beautiful tree was alone and sparkled in the fading light of Christmas eve. Lionel crept back to the tree and scrambled about the branches collecting as many of his lollies and he possibly could. By the time Lionel finished it was dark. Lionel was tired and hungry and began to eat his lollies.
As it was dark, Lionel decided to rest by a log near the gum tree. Lionel fell asleep.
Next Morning everyone came early to the Christmas gum tree at sunrise to see if Santa had been. Low and behold there was Lionel Lizard laying by a log fast asleep. Under the gum tree there were three presents.
Wally was the first to notice there were missing lollies from the tree decorations.
“Oh, Santa must have been hungry,” said Wally.
Lionel woke and looked around. He saw that everyone had a present under the tree but him.
“Oh dear, there is no present for me,” said Lionel sadly.
“Well, have you been a good lizard this year?” said Wally to Lionel. Lionel said “Yes,”.
Everyone knew that he had not really been good as he had been telling lies. Even Lionel knew in his own heart that he had told another lie and that Santa knew that too.
The girls had brought their picnic baskets along and there was food to enjoy. Presents were opened and a Merry Christmas was had by good boys and girls.
Wally opened his present and found lollies inside. Lionel was sitting next to Wally and Wally said in the spirit of Christmas. “Have a lolly Lionel and a happy Christmas.”
All images & content of this website © Michael Kendall 2011
