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The Firflake: A Christmas Story
"But what if I'm looking near the field and the Firflake falls by the old stream?"
Engleberta Ruprecht is this year's Watcher, and she takes her job seriously. The Watcher is tasked with waiting for the first snowflake of winter and leading Papa Knecht, the head of the family, to where the Firflake will fall. While the parents prepare for the special day, Papa Knecht and Mama Alvarie gather the grandchildren and tell stories. They tell the legend of the Firflake, a story of cold northern plains and whipping winds.
They also tell how Papa, when he was just a young man, went out to explore the wide world. How on a cold winter's night in a small town, Papa was attacked by a group of young men, and then rescued by a tall stranger named Nicholas. And how Papa and Nicholas' friendship became the foundation for the family's long Christmas tradition.
Told in the best winter campfire storytelling tradition, The Firflake: A Christmas Story is a tale full of familiar Christmas stories told in a new light.
Engleberta Ruprecht is this year's Watcher, and she takes her job seriously. The Watcher is tasked with waiting for the first snowflake of winter and leading Papa Knecht, the head of the family, to where the Firflake will fall. While the parents prepare for the special day, Papa Knecht and Mama Alvarie gather the grandchildren and tell stories. They tell the legend of the Firflake, a story of cold northern plains and whipping winds.
They also tell how Papa, when he was just a young man, went out to explore the wide world. How on a cold winter's night in a small town, Papa was attacked by a group of young men, and then rescued by a tall stranger named Nicholas. And how Papa and Nicholas' friendship became the foundation for the family's long Christmas tradition.
Told in the best winter campfire storytelling tradition, The Firflake: A Christmas Story is a tale full of familiar Christmas stories told in a new light.
62 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2008
8 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 3, 2011
I will admit that, when it comes to the Christmas season, I have become somewhat of a Grinch over the past few years. As mentions of Christmas come earlier and earlier, I find I get tired of the season, to the point where by mid-November, I find myself wishing for January.
Given that, it was a singular pleasure to discover Mr. Cardno's gentle retelling of some Christmas stories from a new perspective. I read it after Christmas, but still found myself heartened by the beauty of the tale.
Start a Christmas tradition with your family: buy this book, then on Christmas eve, get a fire blazing on the hearth, gather the children and mugs of the hot beverage of your choice and read this tale aloud.
This Grinch recommends it.
Given that, it was a singular pleasure to discover Mr. Cardno's gentle retelling of some Christmas stories from a new perspective. I read it after Christmas, but still found myself heartened by the beauty of the tale.
Start a Christmas tradition with your family: buy this book, then on Christmas eve, get a fire blazing on the hearth, gather the children and mugs of the hot beverage of your choice and read this tale aloud.
This Grinch recommends it.
December 22, 2021
I love tales retold cleverly.
I'm not one who loves Christmas in a traditional sense these days - working retail often leaves much of the "ho-ho-ho" replaced by "go-go-go" and the end result is being tired. I've made it a point to find new traditions for myself and my family and friends whereby I can enjoy small pieces of the holiday.
"The Firflake" just became one of those traditions. It's a lovely story, taking pieces of Christmas tales and turning them just a little sideways, so the light can shine on them from a new angle - one that's refreshing and cheerful from the new point of view.
The characters are charming, the magic sparkles in the words, and I finished the tale - which is more like a half dozen tales woven together into a whole - with a genuine smile on my face.
It takes a lot to give me a sense of Christmas cheer, but the author did so. The Firflake has earned a place beside the traditional Christmas stories, where it can shine every year.
I'm not one who loves Christmas in a traditional sense these days - working retail often leaves much of the "ho-ho-ho" replaced by "go-go-go" and the end result is being tired. I've made it a point to find new traditions for myself and my family and friends whereby I can enjoy small pieces of the holiday.
"The Firflake" just became one of those traditions. It's a lovely story, taking pieces of Christmas tales and turning them just a little sideways, so the light can shine on them from a new angle - one that's refreshing and cheerful from the new point of view.
The characters are charming, the magic sparkles in the words, and I finished the tale - which is more like a half dozen tales woven together into a whole - with a genuine smile on my face.
It takes a lot to give me a sense of Christmas cheer, but the author did so. The Firflake has earned a place beside the traditional Christmas stories, where it can shine every year.
January 15, 2021
This exquisite tale is a delight in every way. The author has seamlessly woven the classic legend of St. Nicholas into an original story rich with love and magic. From the first page, the reader is transported into a gentle world of family traditions and storytelling that unfold into something deeper and more compelling as the pieces come together and we see who these folks truly are. A perfectly beautiful story which resonates long after the final page.
December 28, 2022
Fun take on the origins of Santa and the elves! My children enjoyed having me read it to them at bedtime during Christmas week.
September 30, 2013
A great tale to keep your mind off the commercial aspects of Christmas.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews