This book is dedicated to every elementary school student.

Written and created by: 

Yacine Bouhlel

Zachary Duguay

Rosalie Foley

Emma Descôteaux

Académie les Estacades

A long, long time ago, in a forest covered with snow, lived a little girl with her grand-mother. The little girl had become an orphan when she was about two and was living with her grand-mother since then, the only member of her family left. The girl was pretty curious, she always wished to know more about the world. Her grand-mother and her were living rather reclusively in the forest , which made her even  more  interested in the discovery of the world. 

This little girl was named Holly.   

She was red headed with some brown wisps. Her eyes were of a pure blue tone with a shiny glimmer and she always kept them wide open.  Her clothes were made by her grandma, still odd were they. As a poor nine-year-old little girl, one of her biggest dreams was to get at least one gift for Christmas. Every single year she asked for a real cat, those that were skillful and crafty, but never she got one. One year, she received something that was close to the cat she had always wished for. She got a necklace with a picture of the animal inside of it. Inventive more  than anything, she always deeply believed that elves, fairies and magic existed, so then, in her eyes, the necklace was a real cat. If ever she had a cat in the flesh, she would name it Pine in honor of the gigantic green pine trees which populated the forest she was living in.

On a chilly day of winter, the grand-mother was baking some delicious apple pies. She decided to encourage her little girl to play outside, “fresh air is good for children of your age!” asserted the old lady. “Don’t forget to stay near the house. If you can’t see the chimney smoke anymore, then you’re too far!” added she, as usual. Holly rushed through the house and went outside as quick as a flash, already euphoric of the idea to live a new adventure. “Put your coat on Holly!” yelled the grandma when she saw her little girl without a warm coat on her shoulders. 

When Holly was finally ready to play outside, with a coat on, she crossed the door ,  jumped and ran all around the house, catching some snowflakes with her tongue. 

Time passed by and  when she realized how far she was, the sun was already setting down. There was neither smoke in the sky nor a path near her. She was lost. Holly tried the best she could to find her way back, but tired and chilled to the bone she was.

 The red headed girl sat in the snow, at the foot of a tree, and then realized how much heavier her eyelids were than usual. She easily gave up and, within a minute, fell in the arms of Morpheus.

Even though she was freezing a moment ago, now she felt comfortable as if she was bundled up in a warm, cozy and soft blanket. She barely remembered what had happened after she had fallen asleep in the forest, still she had a strange feeling. She had heard some voices, and now she felt observed. However, she admitted that the smell present in the house was the perfect picture of a real Christmas dinner. Sadly, the little girl never ate more than some turkey and mashed potatoes for this holliday. In this cottage, she was smelling the scent  of candy canes and cranberry sauce, of ginger and pie. With the mix of those pleasent smells and this warm heat, she finally opened her blue eyes. Everything was like a dream, just like what she ever wished for. 

The wooden cottage she was in was well maintained. Furthermore Christmas was everywhere. A majestic Christmas tree, Christmas stockings, cinnamon candles and even some outlandish little elves! 

 Red Christmas hats they had, with some pointed ears and long white hair dangling at their hips. Two of them even had a white beard like Santa Claus! Holly and them were still staring at each other  when the tiniest of the three elves whispered softly : “There’s your lil’ kitty, miss”. He gently stretched the green cat to Holly. A cat who looked the same as the one in the picture of her necklace. Holly reached her neck to grab her necklace and to look at the picture inside of it, but there was nothing tied around her neck anymore. She was more than certain now, her picture became real. A real cat she had ! She joyfully jumped from the bed and took the cat in her arms, as much as the tiny elf, and strongly hugged them. The tiny one’s face became red like a tomato and the cat mewed at the same time as he coarsely declared: “I CAN’T BREATHE ''. 

Astonished by this declaration, Holly dropped both of them on the floor. Once saved from Holly’s arms, he abruptly proclaimed while ordering his beard and his clothes : “What are those manners?”. “I am deeply sorry, mister! I never wished to hurt you” apologized she shyly. The elf calmed down a bit, and stated   “By the by, do not mind about it anymore. I’m fine. ” The tallest of the elves, who was even less than one meter, went towards them and declared “His name is Mermey , and mine is Alfred. I’m glad to meet you, miss. The one with the little head is Dinky.”  Holly gently smiled, glad to see she would be able to make some friends here.“My name is Holly, I’m honored to meet you!” 

Alfred

Dinky

Holly

Mermey

After the presentations, the elves and the little girl talked a bit. Holly was quite hungry, so the eleves shared their Christmas food with her. They also announced she needed to stay with them exactly five days, not less, not more. It was the only condition. Knowing the fact that her cat would come back as a picture as soon as she left this place, she spent most of her time playing with him. She considerably spent her time with the elves as well. All of them went along pretty well, but dolefully their time together was counted.

On her last day, Holly was having a small talk with Alfred when she called for her cat. The green feline did not show up the first time, as the second and the third one. “Where is Pine!?” nervously asked she. Holly only had him for a few days, she absolutely did not want to lose him yet. She was supposed to have more time with him . . .

Pine, where are you !

She asked around to the elves for at least an hour, over and over again, hoping that one of them could have seen Pine in between. Holly decided to go outside, and all she saw was a reindeer playing with a red ball.         “ Excuse me mister, did you see a green cat wandering around?”, interrogated Holly.     “ Sorry little lady, I didn't see a cat around here, '' answered the reindeer.