“I have to see what’s going on in the world!” Tom thought. He leapt out of the nest and struck off by himself. First, he saw Dorothy the G.O.A.T. on top of her little lean-to.
“She’s home in the nest, still asleep,” Tom said. “She told us something special was going on today. Do you know what that would be?” Joey grinned his owl grin, closed his big owl eyes, and said, “Every day is as special as you make it, Tom.” Then Joey drifted off to sleep. So Tom moved on to the house in the distance.
“She’s home sleeping,” Tom replied. “What’s happening today?”
Miss Judy was sitting on the porch of the big house, with a cup of something that smelled both yummy and bitter; Tom had once heard her call it coffee. When she saw Tom, she broke into a big grin. “Where’s your Mom, Tom?” Miss Judy called out.
Tom had heard about birthdays from Miss Judy and thought that might be the surprise. “Where’s your Mom, Tom?” the owl hooted.
“Get along, turkeys!” Miss Judy said. “You’ll miss the big Christmas parade.” In the distance, near the road that passed the farm, Tom heard musical sounds and shouting. He’d never heard anything like that in his whole life.
There, they saw a beautiful horse with a rider dressed in a red suit with white fur. He was calling out, “Merry Christmas, Ho Ho Ho!”
“You’ll see,” Dorothy said as she jumped off and ran to climb the next structure.
“Good morning, Mr. Owl. Is today your birthday?”
“I’m sorry, Mom. I just couldn’t wait to find out what the big surprise is!" Tom said.
He was very careful to take his place in line as the family of turkeys rushed toward the road.
“Where’s your Mom, Tom?” brayed Dorothy.
Around the next corner, there was Joey the Barnyard Owl on a low branch of an oak tree.
“Tom, don’t you ever do that again!” Mom said. "You are the most impatient little turkey in the whole flock.”
Tom was close enough to recognize the horse named Kendra that was carrying the rider and called out, “Who are your carrying, Kendra?” “Why, this is Santa Clause, Tom. He’s the symbol of laughter and joy. And if you stay right there, you’ll see a float with a manger, carrying a replica of Baby Jesus," Kendra called to Tom. “A baby?” whispered Tom.
“Miss Judy, Miss Judy, do you know what’s going on today?” Tom called back.
“He’s the Savior of all living creatures, Tom," Mom said. "Bow your head in respect, my little turkeys.”
Just then, Tom’s family waddled up to the farmhouse.
Tom and his siblings lowered their heads. And they knew, just like creatures everywhere, the peace of faith and the love of ages. “I’ll never leave my family again,” Tom thought. “Ho, ho, ho, turkeys,” Santa called out. “And peace on earth to all of God’s creatures!”
The End 35