The bitter cold pierced through my fur. Every breath chilled and dried my mouth. The freezing pond water did very little to help my body when I drank it.

Why does the winter punish me like the deer do?

I've tried to walk among them, to be one of them. But they stare at me, turning their heads away to mock and laugh. I have been shown rejection by this forest so many times, and walking away, I hear their words.

Ugly

Repulsive

Unlovable

Monster

I let out a sigh, my body trembling with both sorrow and pain. I walked on, seeing the others playing, dancing, laughing. I wanted to join them in their games, but I already knew what would happen. They'd stare at me, judge me...reject me...

I walked away, into the deep parts of the birch forest. Here there are no deer, just the sounds of doves chirping and squirrels chattering, the occasional croak of a frog or caw of raven. I approached the strange fountain that sits alone, and with a hesitant sigh, I looked at my reflection.

A misshapen forehead with lumps and bulges that covers part of my left eye; abnormally long, shaggy fur covers my body; an underbite from my jaw, with my teeth protruding from my mouth; antlers that have grown improperly on my head...

A monster...I am a monster...

I walked away, letting my body succumb to the cold, letting my mind drift. I have no purpose, no reason to live. I am an abomination.

I find the only comfort I can, a soft patch of violet flowers let me sit among them. They don't judge me, they don't point and laugh. They offer peace to those who sit among them.

This was my holiday, alone, unwanted, unloved...

"What are you doing out here?", came a voice nearby. I turned my head to see a beautiful fawn there, his eyes meeting mine. I waited, expecting him to scream or burst out in laughter, but he just stood there, smiling, waiting for my answer.

"...Nothing...", I spoke.

"You're missing all the fun!", the fawn said, "There's a wonderful dance party by the Ruins, and we want everyone to come and dance with us!"

"Thanks, but I'm not welcome there.", I replied.

The little one tilted his head, "Who said so? Come on, it will be great! There's plenty of silly deer there to make you laugh and smile.", he spoke.

I didn't reply. I just wanted him to leave me alone. But he didn't, he kept standing there, his words continuing to invite me to a festival where I would be an outsider.

"I'm Sionnach, by the way. What is your name?", the fawn spoke.

"Mostro...", I told him.

The fawn smiled politely, "I like it! What a great name!", he said happily. "Now come on, I don't want you to miss out on the Christmas party, Mostro!", he said.

I sat there for a moment, looking at him directly. He was persistent, maybe he just couldn't see how ugly I was. "You really want me to come? What if they turn me away?", I asked.

"Mostro, nobody is turned away from our parties!", Sionnach said.

And for the first moment of my life, I smiled. I stood from the patch of flowers and said to Sionnach, "Lead the way."

The fawn bounded happily, "Follow me!", he said excitedly. His movements were playful, running in almost a serpentine manner while I followed normally. As we approached the Ruins, I started to hear the chatter and stomping of hooves grow louder. This was a bad idea..., I thought, but we kept going, and soon a group of deer appeared before us. They all were dancing, shouting, laughing, and being silly.

As Sionnach ran toward them, one doe named Ourania bellowed out, "Sionnach's here, everyone!" The deer turned and bowed to the fawn, all of them very happy to see him there. "Who is the new guy?", a deer named Zergarikiaka asked the fawn. Sionnach turned and said, "This is my new friend, Mostro! He wants to dance with us!"

The others looked over toward me. I turned my head away. They were judging me, I just knew it.

But then someone said, "Hey welcome to the party, Mostro!" I looked over to where it came from - a heavyset darkblue and white deer smiled at him, large red antlers adorned his head, and his eyes were a calming brown. "Please, come be a part of the line!", the deer said to me, who introduced himself as Quad. The others nodded their heads in agreement, all telling me their names.

So I stepped into the crowd, letting a slight sigh out. I had never felt such acceptance before, and I stood between Raigho and Sionnach in the dance line. "Come on, everyone!", Raigho called, raising up and initiating the dance once again. The others cheered and danced. I looked to Sionnach, "I don't really know how to dance.", I admitted.

"It's easy, just watch me!", he replied, moving his front and hind legs in rhythm. I watched him for a few moments before trying it, and soon I was dancing for the first time. It was surprisingly fun, and the other deer encouraged me. I danced with the others, watching Zerg fall over in laughter, Ourania pretend to be shocked, Quad tilting his head with his massive antlers, Raigho spinning in place, and Sionnach raising up in excitement. I was finally a part of something here.

--------------------

The dance had ended, and the deer bowed to one another. "Same time tomorrow?", Ourania asked me. I nodded, "Sure, sure!", I replied. "We gotta be careful with this guy, he's got serious dance moves!", Zerg joked as he nudged me. I smiled and laughed, "I'd be more worried about Quad over there. How often does his antlers hit someone in the head?", I asked. "All the time, but it's always funny when he does.", Raigho replied.

Quad, nearby, looked over, "You better not be talking about me over there!", he called in a humorous tone. We all laughed and bowed once again before the others walked off to their sleeping spots.

Sionnach looked up to me, "That was great! I'm glad you came!", he said.

I needed to ask, "I was curious, why did you come find me? Weren't you disgusted by my appearance?"

The fawn shook his head, "I was taught never to judge anyone until I've gotten to know them. You aren't ugly in my eyes, you're unique.", he replied.

"And the others? Why didn't they laugh and judge me like so many have done before?", I asked.

"Well...", Sionnach began to say, "maybe you just didn't find the right deer to hang out with. Some deer can be very stubborn when it comes to looks. But others like my friends really want to know you as the fun and friendly person you are." He continued, "If anyone makes fun of you again, tell them they have to answer to me, and I'll tell them that you're a great person!"

I smiled and nodded. From that moment on, I held his head up high, thought more of myself and others, and enjoyed spending time with my new friends. Soon the other deer saw me as a caring, energetic, and friendly deer, despite my looks. And from then on, I realized that the other deer no longer looked down upon me, but looked up to me.

It's surprising how a little Christmas spirit can change your life, isn't it?



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A little commentary on this one - the Holiday Season can be a double-edged sword. Many of us see it as a time for family and friends, but for some it can be a time of loneliness, as there are people who have either been rejected by society or otherwise don't have friends or family to celebrate the season with.

So this story is for them. As we say in my religion, "We pray for those who have no one to pray for them."