The Winter Gift

In the quiet village of Frostville, where snowflakes sparkled like diamonds and lanterns flickered with golden warmth, there was a story of the Gift bringer. A figure of beauty and magic, she would appear on the coldest winter nights to deliver hope, kindness, and gifts of warmth to those in need.

This year, the village was colder than ever, and the winds howled louder than they had in decades. Children whispered to one another, hoping and wishing that the Gift bringer might return again.

On one eve of a winter night, as snow covered every rooftop and path, a quiet fell over the village. From the darkness a light appeared, it was as soft as moonlight but as brilliant  and bright as a star. Emerging from the shadows was the Gift bringer herself.

Her white hair flowed like streams of silk so long and endless, cascading in waves that glowed faintly. Her dress, embroidered with frost flowers that shimmered crimson and white like winter berries as if it was kissed by the snow. Nestled in her arms was a single gift that was wrapped carefully with a red bow.

Children stepped cautiously out from their homes with their eyes wide with awe. Among them was a small girl with a tattered coat, holding her younger brother’s hand. Her breath like steam from the cold and her heart was warm with wonder.

“Are you real?” the little girl whispered.

The Gift bringer smiled gently, her sapphire eyes sparkling like the northern sky. I come for those who believe, she replied with her voice as soft as snowflakes landing on a windowsill.

Slowly, she stepped forward and knelt before the smallest child, a boy with rosy cheeks and hands that were trembling in the cold. She placed the gift into his tiny hands, and as he held it, the bow untied itself with a shimmer of light. Inside was a coat of thick velvet, lined with fur that seemed to hold the warmth of a warm fire.

Wear it my sweet child and you will never feel the cold again, the Gift bringer said to the young boy.

Tears welled up in the eyes of the older sister as she watched her brother slip into the coat. It fit him just perfectly, as though it were made especially for him. Soon the color had returned to his cheeks, and he smiled brighter than he had in months.

Behind the Gift bringer, more children had gathered their hope dawning in their hearts. She turned to them with a soft giggle, her hair swirling as if caught in an invisible wind. Every winter, kindness and light must be shared among us. That is the greatest gift of all.

With that, she raised her hand, and snowflakes spun like a dance around her. Gifts began to appear, coats, mittens, scarves, and toys, enough for every child in Frostville. The villagers looked on with their hearts brimming with so much thankfulness.

And then just as quickly as she came, the Gift bringer began to fade into the winter night. Her final words lingered on the wind:

“Share your warmth, your kindness, and your hope and I will always return.”

The children watched as her silhouette disappeared, her white hair blending into the snow. They held their gifts tightly, promising to remember her every word.

From that day on, the memories of the Gift bringer grew. Each Winter, the villagers of Frostville shared these memories with one another and their friendships kept growing stronger with each passing year. Although no one ever saw the Gift bringer again her magic and memories lived on in every act of kindness, giving the villagers hope in darkest winters forevermore.