Herbie Pine

The Littlest Christmas Tree

Snowflakes fell softly in the forest, cascading over branches and treetops, like white glistening waterfalls.

The snowflakes were delicate like miniature ballerinas pirouetting on an invisible stage, sailing gracefully on the wind, carried to imaginary heights.

Set inside the Green Forest was a very small pine tree, named Herbie. He was really different from the Old Trees, for he never grew very big and he was missing needles in some spots, but he was generous and sweet, and often harbored birds from winter storms.

But here it was just 10 days before Christmas and Herbie’s dream of becoming a Christmas Tree, seemed so very hopeless Even now, he could still hear Mr. Woodcutter saying ‘that tree is only 48 inches high, its not big enough, no one would want it. AND, as he passed by, Herbie shed a few drops of sap, he was so disappointed he had not been chosen. He just needed a chance!Why he had puffed himself up as big as he could and still wasn’t big enough! There was just no hope, he would never be an important tree or a Christmas tree, all the time he spent dreaming was just wasted! Herbie was so very unhappy, the old Trees laughed at him and called him a dreamer or wishful thinker, ‘Get with it Herbie” said Dogwood and Spruce,‘YOU’RE NEVER GOING TO BE ANYTHING!’

Herbie was feeling so defeated and forlorn, maybe they were right and he shuddered to think that maybe they were.

Herbie was so lost in his disappointment, his branches sagging a frown, that he didn’t at first notice the fluffy ball of white at first---then it flashed, and he did notice, because the ball started talking and it was flying all over!

“Herbie Pine’ you stop feeling sorry for yourself this instant, demanded the little fluff of white. “Who are you? And what do you want?” asked Herbie.

Well my name is HOPE and I am an Angel she said. “See my wings?” as she rippled and fluttered them quickly. “And I am here to teach you about Miracles and I brought my friends “Star and Dove too!”

“Miracle, well what is a miracle? Herbie asked. He quickly searched his roots and was very certain the Old Trees had never talked about miracles. “Well I don’t want to be a Miracle” said Herbie. “I want to be a Christmas Tree, so go away.” 

“Oh Herbie” breathed Hope softly, “you have so much to learn! Why you are a wonderful tree, you are young, healthy and you are always helping others, you must not listen to others tell you that you can’t do something, believe in yourself Herbie, don’t let the Old Trees take away your confidence! “Heavens, Herbie, if you don’t’ believe you can be a beautiful Christmas tree, who will?”

“I can see great shimmering lights on your branches, a flashing star on top and lots of presents underneath. Dream that Herbie Pine, dream that you CAN and Herbie it WILL happen!”

Herbie was enjoying the scene so much in his mind that Hope talked about, he didn’t realize she had stopped talking. A tweak of his branch and she had his full attention. “Herbie, you are what you think, never forget that!” said Hope.

Well Little Herbie puffed himself up, shook his branches out proudly and stood tall as he could. “I’m a beautiful Christmas Tree” he said repeatedly. Hope flew to the top and kissed him right on his highest branch, “yes you are Herbie, yes you are!” she said.

Star had been watching Herbie from a distance and now zig zagged down to Herbie. “I’m Star and I am going to teach you all about ‘wishes’ Herbie”, she said.

“So, put your thinking cap on and wish very hard to be a Christmas tree, well Star waited and waited but nothing happened. “Try harder Herbie, wish harder!”

Herbie could feel the sap racing through his trunk and branches, carrying his wish to Star, then suddenly—boom! Herbie’s wish knocked Star right out of the branch and into the snow. “I got it Herbie, she said’

I got your wish! And with that she sent him a dazzling smile that sent flashes of light everywhere.

“Herbie you are wonderful, and you are learning so fast!” said Star beamingly brightly.

“Remember Herbie that WISHES are your dreams, and no one can take them from you—if you don’t let them.”  Dreams are how wishes come true Herbie, they are our trial run at things.” Herbie you want to be a Christmas Tree, but why? asked Star.

Well I want to be decorated and dressed up and share my branches, by holding tiny ornaments and sending my pine scent throughout the house, and of course protect the presents!

But mostly I want to BE SPECIAL, not just like any tree, whispered Herbie.