There was a Light in the Woods

 There was a light in the woods…

Deep in the green folds of the Sylvanian Countryside, on the bank of a sparkling river, within a thick grove of trees, there was a cottage. It was a dark and still night, but shining from within was the warm glow of many candles lit together. Small trees crept up towards the building on all sides, emerging from the emerald green grass crossed by the faintest patterns of the year’s first frost. This cottage belonged to the Golightly family. 

Inside, the cottage smelled of tea and warm bread, a low fire was rumbling in the oven. Fred Golightly and his older children, Tiffany and Toby, were standing about their dinner table. On the table was a Chanukiah, a special Menorah used to celebrate Chanukah. Three of the candles had already been lit. 

Holly Golightly and her youngest daughter, Gilly, were in the living room, enjoying the hum of activity. 

“Don’t be afraid,” Fred said to Tiffany as she used a bright red candle called a “shamash” to light another candle. 

Tiffany trembled slightly as she carried the candle over the rest of the Menorah, filling the first floor of the cottage with a soft light. When her work was done, she sat back with pride.

 

“Papa,” Toby said to his father, looking quite sullen, “I wish we weren’t the only ones here in Marmalade who celebrated Chanukah. Everyone else has big parties for Christmas!” Fred felt sorry for his son, so he gave him a big hug. “Oh little one, every family is different, just because other families don’t celebrate the same holidays as us doesn’t mean we can’t have fun!” Toby felt a little better. 

“Presents!” Gilly cried all of a sudden, “I want presents!” 

Holly swept her baby up in her shawl and sat back in the chair, rocking the little on gently. “You’ll get your present soon, just wait a little bit!” 

Toby and Tiffany looked at each other excitedly. They loved that part of Chanukah best of all. 

“First,” Fred proclaimed, climbing down the ladder with a small booklet in paw, “let’s sing some songs!” 

Even though Fred’s occupation, and his passion, were fishing, he had always loved singing. Even when he was a child, he loved to jump in a boat and sing as he drifted out past the rushes and cattails. The book he was holding was a collection of hebrew songs and prayers that his father had passed down to him many years ago.

“Let's sing!” Gilly shouted up to her mother. Holly laughed, setting the tot on the floor. “LALALA” the young one bellowed exuberantly. 

Soon the five members of the Golightly family were gathered around their table. With Fred Golightly leading with his little book, they began to sing one of their favorite Chanukah songs. 

“Mi yemaleil g'vurot Yisrael?

Otan mi yimneh?

Hein bechol dor yakum hagibor

Go-eil ha-am.

Sh'ma! Bayamim ha-heim

Bazman hazeh,

Maccabi moshi'a ufodeh.

Uv-yameinu kol am Yisrael,

Yit-acheid, yakum veyiga-eil”

When they had finished, the kids all laughed and watched as the candles flickered and flashed. 

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. 

Toby raced to the living room and opened the door.

As the front door creaked open, Toby gasped with excitement. What he saw on their front door step was completely unexpected but absolutely wonderful. 

Standing on the path leading up to the tiny cottage where the Golightlys lived was a gathering of townsfolk from Marmalade. 

Standing in the front was Freya Chocolate and Abigail Bramble, Tiffany’s best friends. Behind them were several others.

“We wanted to celebrate with you!” Ralph Walnut exclaimed excitedly. Toby was delighted. 

Soon the rest of the Golightly family had gathered by the door, looking out onto the party on the yard. 

Frasier Chocolate, Freya’s father, stepped out from the rest of the gathering. He was holding a package from the bakery he owned and ran with his wife, Teri. “We made your favorite bread, Challah, this morning. We’ve brought two loves for our celebration!” 

“Come in, come in!” Holly shouted out, pulling the children inside so that the townsfolk could enter. 

The many creatures who entered through the front door took only a moment to take off their coats and boots.

Soon the whole party was situated. Some were sitting in the living room…

…others were in the kitchen…

…but most were sitting around the table, watching and learning about one of the Golightly children’s favorite holidays. 

The Challah was set out on the table along with some hot cross buns and biscuits. 

“What a wonderful celebration.” Toby said to his friend, Ralph. 

Fred disappeared for a few moments, but soon he returned down the ladder, carrying three beautiful parcels. 

“Presents!” Gilly shouted. “Indeed.” Holly replied.

The three children raced to the table and began opening their presents. 

First, Tiffany got a lovely dollhouse made of white wood, given by the Slydales who made toys in their workshop. Tiffany was enamored, she loved tiny things and she finally had a place for her dolls. 

Second, Toby got his very own flute. He loved music as much as his father had loved singing. He was absolutely delighted, and he set to learning how to play it immediately.  

Gilly got a soft teddy bear. She would have been happy with anything, but she loved it completely. 

The three children were ecstatic, they were so happy they hardly felt tired as the gathering began passing through the front door and wandering back to their burrows and cottages. 

However, their parents still forced them to climb up the ladders and get into their beds. They placed their toys carefully about the room and surrounded themselves in their thick quilts. 

Fred Golightly locked the door and went to bed, leaving the house so silent all that was left was

…a light in the woods.

Thank you for reading! Chanukah this year was wonderful. I spent it celebrating with my immediate family. I truly found it wonderful to just slow down and be happy with loved ones. I hope that all of your upcoming holidays are wonderful and filled with light.