Crispin was a very small snowflake. All the other snowflakes boasted about how big and fluffy they were, how perfectly they’d twirl on the way down, and how beautifully they’d blanket the world. Crispin worried he wasn’t good enough. He was so tiny, he felt like he wouldn’t even be noticed on Christmas Eve.
Old Man Winter, a kindly spirit with a beard like frosted branches, noticed Crispin’s sadness. He floated over on a gust of wind. “What troubles you, little one?” he asked gently.
“I’m just…so small,” Crispin whispered. “I won’t make a very good snowflake. I won’t add to the Christmas magic.”
Old Man Winter chuckled. “Magic isn’t about size, Crispin. It’s about what you *do* with what you have. Every snowflake, no matter how small, is important. Each one contributes to the beautiful, sparkling blanket that brings joy to the world.”
Crispin still felt unsure. He watched as the other snowflakes rushed off, eager to join the Christmas Eve storm. He wanted to help, but what could a tiny snowflake like him do? He drifted slowly, feeling lost and insignificant.
Suddenly, he spotted a little robin, shivering on a bare branch. The robin’s feathers were ruffled, and it looked very cold. Crispin knew he couldn’t provide much warmth on his own, but he had an idea.
He carefully floated closer to the robin and landed gently on its head. It wasn’t much, but it shielded the robin’s head from the biting wind for a moment. Then, another tiny snowflake joined him, and then another, and another! Soon, a small cluster of snowflakes had gathered on the robin, creating a tiny, sparkling hat.
The robin chirped happily, fluffing its feathers. It wasn’t completely warm, but it was a little more comfortable. It looked up and seemed to thank the snowflakes with a bright, cheerful song.
Crispin felt a warmth spread through him, a warmth that had nothing to do with temperature. He realized Old Man Winter was right. It didn’t matter how small he was; he could still make a difference. He could still bring a little bit of Christmas joy.
More and more snowflakes noticed what Crispin and his friends were doing. They began to gather around other cold creatures – a sleepy hedgehog, a frosty field mouse, even a snowman whose carrot nose was starting to droop. Each tiny snowflake offered a little bit of comfort, a little bit of sparkle, a little bit of Christmas magic.
By the time the sun began to rise on Christmas morning, the world was covered in a beautiful, shimmering blanket of snow. And Crispin, the littlest snowflake, felt prouder than he ever thought possible. He learned that even the smallest act of kindness can make a big difference, especially on Christmas.
Old Man Winter smiled down at Crispin. “See?” he said. “You *are* a very good snowflake. You showed everyone that the greatest magic comes from a generous heart.” And as the children woke up to a sparkling white Christmas, Crispin knew he’d had the best Christmas Eve ever.