Outside, the air grew chilly. A tiny snowflake drifted down, then another, then many more. Soft, quiet snow began to cover the ground in a sparkly white blanket. Everything outside looked calm and peaceful under the snow.
Inside a warm little burrow under a big oak tree lived Pip the squirrel. Pip loved his cozy home best when it was cold and snowy outside. He would peek out his little window and watch the fluffy flakes fall, making the world look like a gentle, white dream.
Pip scampered away from the window. Inside his burrow, it felt extra warm and smelled faintly of pine needles. It was a very special time of year! Pip wiggled his nose, feeling happy and snug in his soft, dry home.
In the corner of Pip's main room stood a little evergreen branch that looked like a tiny tree. It wasn't big, but it was just the right size for a squirrel's home. Today, it was time to make it sparkle and shine.
Carefully, Pip pulled out a string of tiny lights. They weren't bright like the sun, but soft and gentle. He wrapped them around the little tree branch. With a flick of a switch, the lights turned on, twinkling in warm, soft colours.
Oh, how beautiful! The red, green, and gold lights glowed, making the cozy burrow feel even more magical. Pip sat and watched them twinkle, feeling a happy flutter in his tummy. The simple lights made him feel so cheerful.
Pip also had one special little acorn ornament. He carefully hung it on a sturdy branch, right where it caught the light and sparkled. He thought about his friends and how he might share his extra yummy nuts with them soon.
Thinking about nice things and the special morning to come made Pip feel warm all over, not just from the fire. It was the feeling of happy waiting, like waiting for something wonderful and gentle and full of smiles.
Soon, Pip started to feel his eyelids grow heavy. The soft twinkling lights seemed to sing a quiet sleepy song. He curled up in his soft bed of leaves and moss, pulling a small blanket of softest fluff right up to his chin.
He closed his eyes, the gentle glow of the tiny lights making his burrow feel extra safe and peaceful. Pip drifted off to sleep, dreaming of soft snow, warm smiles, and the quiet joy of a special day waking up just outside his door.