The Little Jubjub with the Big Heart

     At the very centre of the plaza stood an empty stone circle, wide and expectant. As though it was missing something magical for the quickly approaching season. Pipkin, the Blue Jubjub, was out for his morning walk when he paused at the empty space, thinking this very thought.

     Pipkin was small even by JubJub standards, but the size of his heart more than made up for this difference, especially during the holidays. He waddled around the barren patch like a Bruce would on ice and tilted his puffy body as he examined his surroundings. The empty space in the centre of town bothered him, even though he wasn't completely sure why. He stood at the edge of the circle, looking up, trying to imagine something grand that would be suitable for this spot. Then it hit him.

     “This," he proclaimed aloud to no one in particular, "is where the biggest Christmas tree Neopia Central has ever seen is going to stand!"

     A nearby Usul, who worked closely with the Breadmaster at the local bakery, blinked at him. She had just finished work for the day and was out stretching her legs after a busy morning of making Christmas baked goods for the increasingly demanding crowds.

     “You sure about that, little fellow?" Talla, the Red Usul, asked. Pipkin nodded fiercely, nearly toppling over.

     “Absolutely. Everyone deserves something wonderful this year." He explained. That was how it always started with Pipkin: A simple idea, spoken aloud, and suddenly it felt impossible for him not to accomplish his idea.

     “That sounds ambitious," Talla said, scratching her chin. "How big are we talking?"

     Pipkin stretched his stubby feet, for JubJub doesn't have arms, as wide as they would go. "Big! As big as they come!" He said ambitiously.

     Talla laughed. "All right. Do you mind if I help?”

     “Of course! The more the merrier," the JubJub cheered.

     “Great, then I suggest we get more help if we are planning on hauling a big tree over here. My friend, Merrik, works in the back of the bakery with me and is very strong. He's always carrying heavy boxes and bags of flour that get delivered there. He has today off, and I'm sure would help such a noble cause as this," the Usul said with a smile and twinkle in her eyes. She loved the idea.

     “That would be great! I hadn't thought about how I'd get the tree here," Pipkin said, chuckling. With that, they strolled downtown to Merrik's home, contributing to the Christmas hymns that were still being hummed around them.

     *****

     “If we pull this off," Merrik, the Brown Skeith, said thoughtfully after the two Pets finished explaining their plans, "it'll bring half of the city together! At least!"

     “That's the point," Pipkin said, beaming. Merrik didn't hesitate to join the crew, running away for only a brief moment to grab his trusted axe that was usually used for splitting firewood.

     Finding the tree proved to be harder than the trio had imagined. The forests near Neopia Central were beautiful, but none of the evergreens seemed tall enough or a perfect fit for the centrepiece in Neopia Central, and Pipkin refused to settle.

     “It needs to make people stop and stare," he insisted. "Otherwise it's just another decorated Christmas tree."

     “I heard rumours of a colossal pine growing at the edge of the Haunted Woods, untouched and perfectly shaped," Merrik said after a brief hesitation. "But that place gives me the creeps. I hear the Pant Devil commonly haunts those woods."

     Pipkin wanted to answer bravely right away that he wasn't afraid, being the determined Pet that he was, but he started to feel he was being a bit of a burden to his two new friends. Talla could sense his dilemma and piped up.

     “We should at least take a look. We're having no luck here. We just won't take anything with us that we don't want stolen," she smiled at the JubJub, who immediately agreed. Merrik looked down at his trusted axe and sighed good-naturedly.

     “Well, guess I can always buy myself another one of these if it gets stolen," he said with a wink. "Come, I'll lead the way."

     *****

     Dark clouds loomed over the Haunted Woods in the near distance when the three determined friends reached a dense, thriving forest, consisting of many large pine trees, each worthy of being the perfect tree.

     The forest was quiet with not a soul in sight. They walked with reverence, mouth agape, amongst the wide, towering trunks. The only noise they were attuned to was the crunching of snow beneath their feet.

     Pipkin wasn't sure if he was being too fussy when he found it difficult to choose a single tree, but then there it was. A towering, silver-tipped specimen, its branches heavy with frost and drooping slightly as though bowing to them. Pipkin didn't have to say a word when he abruptly stopped in his tracks.

     Talla whistled. "You weren't exaggerating. These trees are beautiful! And this one would make a great Christmas tree!"

     “It's perfect!" Pipkin cried. The sun was near set, and by the way the light glistened off the frosted tips, the tree appeared to be glowing.

     “Well, let's get at it then," the Skeith said. Together they took turns chopping the tree down, telling stories of past Christmases. When the tree finally came down, the wind blew softly through the trees, causing the snow to fall gently around them, as if in a silent acknowledgement.

     Dusk was settling in, and they agreed to come back the next day to bring the tree to town. Word spread quickly around Neopia Central about the large pine tree that was coming to town, and a large number of Neopians volunteered to help them carry the tree back to town.

     In the meantime, other Neopians gathered together lights and garland to string around the tree and children of all ages designed beautiful ornaments to hang on the tree's boughs. Hot chocolate stands and photo booths popped up, and suddenly the whole centre grew into a festive event as the tree finally made its way into town.

     Pipkin couldn't believe his eyes at the sight, and had to wipe away a tear as the tree was slowly raised in the plaza, guided by ropes and teamwork by many members of the community.

     When the tree finally stood upright, towering high above the shops and Neohomes, a hush fell over the square as everyone took in the sight. It was soon followed by a loud cheer that erupted from the crowd. Lights were strung from top to bottom, glowing a warm golden hue against the snow. Ornaments of every colour reflected in wide, shining eyes. And a star crafted by a local artisan crowned the top, catching the moonlight when the day drew to an end. The tree's infective spirit captivated the crowd and brought the whole community together, just as Pipkin had envisioned it would.

     Pipkin stood at the base of the tree, chest puffed out proudly as he took in the sight. "We did it," he said with a wide smile.

     Suddenly, the lights on the tree began to flicker, followed by the echo of a sinister laugh. It was sharp, sneering and completely unmistakable. Pipkin winced at the thought of what was about to happen. And during this perfect moment of all times!

     A shadow flickered from behind the tree, and out popped the Pant Devil, eyes gleaming with mischief. "Well, well," he purred, displaying his unsightly, evil smile. "What a lovely collection of shiny things." A series of gasps rippled through the crowd as Neopians quickly held onto the belongings that meant most to them.

     Merrik stepped bravely forward. "This is a celebration, spectre! Leave!" The Pant Devil grinned wider.

     “I think I'll take a few souvenirs," he said spitefully. In a blur of motion, ornaments vanished from branches, lights flickered out, and the star at the top wobbled dangerously back and forth.

     “Hey!" Pipkin shouted, his voice small but fierce. The Pant Devil paused and looked down at him, amused.

     “You?" The foul spirit laughed disbelievingly, as though he had never been spoken to like that before by anything so small and insignificant. "I didn't realise fuzzle plushies could talk!"

     Pipkin marched forward, snow crunching under his tiny feet. "I may be small, but I have a large heart! This tree isn't for taking! It's for everyone to enjoy!"

     “And what are you going to do about it?" The Pant Devil laughed dismissively again. For a moment, Pipkin said nothing. He really didn't have to. The whole community spoke up for him with not just their words, but through their actions.

     “You want to try to steal our Christmas spirit? We'll just keep decorating anyway!" Talla said, taking the large red bow she was wearing and tying it to the tree's lowest branch. Merrik chuckled, and tossed his axe into the tree and began to rally the crowd by encouraging them to do the same. Voices rose in a united chant as Neopians began tossing bells, garland and even scarves up onto the tree. Pipkin ran around the base with a few of the children, gathering up any of the fallen ornaments and hanging them back on the branches.

     The Pant Devil darted around, grabbing frantically at all of the decorations, but couldn't keep up. Finally, he slowed down when everywhere he turned, there was someone standing in his way.

     “This isn't fun anymore!" he snapped, glaring detestfully at the little Blue JubJub. Pipkin looked up at him with a knowing smile.

     “You just don't understand," he said calmly. "Celebrations are better when you share them." For once, the Pant Devil hesitated. Then, with an irritated huff, he vanished in a puff of smoke, leaving behind a single ornament that clinked softly against the frosted cobblestone. Silence fell. Then laughter. And finally, a loud cheer by the victorious crowd.

     Christmas carols suddenly burst out stronger than before, echoing through Neopia Central. The lights flared back to life, brighter than ever, and the snow began to fall again in a daity, but steady pattern.

     Pipkin was suddenly hoisted onto Merrik's shoulders, which enabled him to see the whole tree glowing against the night sky.

     “It's perfect," Talla said.

     “No," Pipkin replied, smiling as he looked at his friends. "We are. This community is."

     That night, Neopia Central stayed awake longer than usual. Music played long into the night with hot cocoa and baked goods that Talla made herself. And best of all, the community grew stronger beneath the tallest Christmas tree the town had ever known. For years, Neopians would remember Pipkin as the small JubJub that brought a whole community together with his big idea and loving heart.

     The End.