The Legend of the Snowman

It was late December in the land of the Northern Star. The streets and stores were crowded with tired, harried, curt people. The lone remainder of "Peace on Earth, Goodwill Towards Men" were the new toys, already broken and discarded, lying near heaps of dried trees still glowing with the delight of a child's Christmas morning.
Only in North St. Paul were smiles to be seen, but already the first signs of unhappiness were crowding into this valiant village from the encircling lands.

Oh, the citizens tried to be happy and pleasant, for that is their nature, but it was hard to remain cheerful when their neighboring towns frowned. already the hot winds from the Southwest were felt, presaging the arrival of destructive elements. In answer to these blustering winds the skies glazed and the Polar legions marched to rescue their subjects. With lightning and thunder they fought the invading gales until victory was won and the cold, pure Northern winds purged the land. Riding on these winds were the snow messengers, bank after bank of blue cloud ready to cleanse the land.

Straight to North St. Paul they ran, then stopped, and from the sky fell one snowflake. It was not an ordinary snowflake, for it grew in size until it seemed to cover the sky, and then it danced and tumbled and twinkled until it landed in the park in the middle of town. For a minute it lay there and the citizens gasped at its size and beauty. Then it broke - it broke into piles and pile of fine pure white snow, more snow than anyone had ever seen. And out of the piles climbed six of the happiest, jolliest, most lovable snowmen in the world.

"Hello!" said the roundest, Merry, waving at the teenagers. "Hello!" said the fattest, Pinata, tossing a handful of candy to children. "Hello!" said the whitest, Yule, the Pilot of the snowcraft. "Hello!" said the funniest, Fidelas, cheering some old folks with his smile. "Hello!" said the biggest, Noel, the spokesman for the group. "Hello!" said the smallest, Kris, waving his diplomatic credentials.

"We are here to help you to be happy," said Noel. "Leave the snow. Wait for us at the snow pile in a few days and we shall lead your snow frolics in the snow, help you in your work, and assist you in your charity."
And with that they left, pausing to play with a child, to share a joke, to bring a smile.

Any always they said, "Meet us at the snow pile. Wait for us. We shall show you our ways, our games. We shall lead you in Snow Frolics." They scattered far, searching the surrounding lands for those who would be happy, helping those in need. "Come to the snow pile! Come to our Snow Frolics!"

Early in January the townsmen gathered at the snow pile. From many miles they came, people happy in their hearts, friendly to their neighbors. Then the snowmen arrived.

"We know you," said Kris. "You are people who care, people who live Christmas the whole year. We know how hard it is to be happy when so many are so cruel. So we have come to help you." "For eleven days we shall live among you. We shall lead you in games. We have chosen the young men among you as our lieutenants, and with their help we shall build you a symbol."

And the Snowmen and their helpers began molding the snow pile and soon they had built the biggest, happiest, nicest snowman in the world. It loomed over the city, standing guard against unhappiness, spreading smiles and good cheer among the citizens.

"We shall be with you for eleven days," said Noel. "For we have treasures hidden for you to seek. Those of gold are here for all. Seek joy and good-will and you shall find the greatest riches known to man.

"And let the children build snowmen and contest for prizes," chirped Pinata, bouncing a youngster on his fat tummy. Now let the bands gather! Call your friends and neighbors. We shall parade and fill the town with happiness."

Noel and Fidelas took up the chant. "The First day, Saturday, belongs to the young people for dancing, parades and parties, for their love and joy of life shall mark the pattern of our Snow Frolics."

"Sunday belongs to the family. We shall skate and sleigh; feast and play.

"The next day will bring together the maidens of the land. Choose the fairest as our queen. Let pageantry and royalty rule the rest of our stay until we meet at the silvery lake."

In the days that followed, the snowmen were everywhere. Singing on the corners, helping in the shops, presenting candy and chuckles to children, bringing smiles and aid to the needy. They skated and danced and sang for eleven days. Soon the flickering flame of goodwill became a roaring blaze in the hearts of the citizens. On the eleventh day the snowmen gathered at the silvery lake. Everywhere were happy people, and no longer was there a threat to goodwill.

"We must go now," said Merry, "but we shall leave our snowman monument with you. Let it stand until the spring. Then it will water the flowers and grasses which also shall bring happiness. We shall return next winter to again help those who seek goodwill. Goodbye, and watch for our snowflake!"

Then they scattered candy to the children, passed their leadership to royalty and their merry lieutenants, and then the Snowmen left on their journey still spreading joy and goodwill. Behind them they left a happy village, the memory of their Snow Frolics, and their promise to return.