Glitter and Nim sat at the table, munching marshmallows and brainstorming.
“We could climb Christmas bows,” said Glitter.
“I guess,” said Nim in a that-doesn’t-sound-like-very-much-fun voice.
“We could make a marshmallow pool and go for a swim,” said Glitter.
“Nah, we’ve done too much with marshmallows this season. We need to come up with something more Christmas-y.”
Glitter paced back and forth on the counter, wracking her brain for a fun way to greet the boys in the morning. It was then that she remembered.
“Feathers!” she shouted as she galloped to the craft room.
Nim looked after her wondering if she’d lost her mind. In a flash she was back with two packages of feathers, one red and one white.
“I remember seeing these when I was searching for tape to put up the bowling alley,” she said. “I could use them to dress up as a partridge in a pear tree.”
Nim’s eyes lit up.
“Or, we can be two turtle doves,” said Nim zooming to Glitter and picking up the other package.
Excited, they both started to attach white and red feathers to themselves. Nim laughed when he spotted Leonard. He pointed to the stuffed rein-raffe.
“If we add Leonard, we can be three French hens!”
As they started to plaster feathers to Leonard, they heard a sing-song voice behind them.
“Could I join in? Then we could be four calling birds.”
Nim spun around. Lil was perched on the top of a jar, smiling at them.
“Lil!” cried Nim. “What are you doing here?”
“Gee, happy to see you too Nim,” she joked.
Nim flew and gave her a big hug. Then, he turned to introduce her to Glitter.
“Lil, meet Glitter. She’s my new partner in mischief.”
Glitter pawed the ground and walked forward.
“Nice to finally meet you, Lil.”
“You too Glitter!” Lil said with enthusiasm. “I hear you’ve been a good influence on our Nim here.”
Glitter looked and Nim and smiled.
“Well, I think we’ve both been a good influence on each other.”
Nim agreed and smiled at both his new and his old partner.
“How long can you stay? Maybe you can help us get into our three French hens costumes,” said Nim.
“I can stay until morning and help keep an eye on the boys.”
Nim looked at Lil in surprise.
“But,” he said. “What about the girls? Won’t they miss you?”
“The girls went out of town and won’t be back until tomorrow night so I’ll be able to stay all day!”
“Then…we really can be four calling birds!”
Nim and Glitter both beamed. Nim, because his best friend had come and Glitter because she genuinely liked Lil.
They helped each other get into costume and then took their places.
“We kind of look like the chickens,” giggled Lil.
Nim, Lil and Glitter all laughed, sharing in the fun.
“The boys will be so excited to see you Lil!” said Nim.
“It will be fun to see them again too,” said Lil, smiling brightly.
Nim grew serious, but just for a moment. He soon grinned gleefully and looked forward to the boys waking up.
He couldn’t wait to see their faces.
Kindness Act
Make cards for nursing home residents.
Nim’s Joke
What did Mrs. Claus say to Santa when she looked in the sky?
Looks like rain, dear.
Elfie
a pinch of homestead 