While one spirit god gives gifts to all human children and other "welcomed" children, this spirit ensues all "unwelcome" children around the world also get gifts no matter who they are, or where they are. -- Anon Guest
Charity sighed and scooped up her child as ze came home crying. On one hand, the formalised schooling system allowed for a decent education, and allowed children to socialise with their peers. It also, unfortunately, enforced socialisation with bullies.
She wrapped up Wit in her arms, rubbing hir back and cooing nonsense until the sobs ran out. Warm food and the cuddle couch helped stem the flow of tears. Only then did she ask, "What upset you so badly, my love?"
Sniffle. "Ara Mallow says they're getting a visit from Greatfather Langeven and I'm not 'cause of I'm a devil."
"Ara Mallow might get passed by if she doesn't watch herself," opined Charity. "Further, they haven't heard of Kinderfreund."
"Kinta...?"
"Kinderfreund," Charity repeated, enunciating it carefully. "He's a shadow of a great Teufel who felt bad about little Teufels missing out on gifts. So he told his shadow to give gifts to all the good children. Especially the ones who were told they were bad. And if you're sick on Midwinterfeast Eve, the shadow of his wife comes to cure what ails you. She has a magic needle, and one poke makes you all better again."
"So there is magic for Teufellen like us?" said Wit.
"Of course there is. It's not fancy presents like toys and shiny velocipedes. It's practical things like new shoes or a winter cloak. Things to be sure you live through the winter, or something you need very, very much." She kissed Wit's brow. "And there's another bit of magic with Kinderfreund and his wife, Helpmeet."
"Yeah?"
"The people who are terrible to Teufellen and other Unwelcome folk... those people have something even more terrible happen to them. Kinderfreund and Helpmeet teach them a lesson that many won't soon forget." Wit was a tender-hearted child, so all the blood and gore was conveniently skipped over. "And the worst of the worst are never seen again."
Wit, snuggled cozily on Charity's lap, petted the cat that had also moved in. "I don't think Ara is that bad. Just rude. Kintafoy can give them school for Midwinterfeast." After a pause to consider, ze added, "And a lot of homework."
Wit returned to school the next day with the spring returned to hir step. There were no more upsets in the afternoons. No more trouble from Ara Mallow. Charity thought no more of it until she and Wit went to the town square for the city-wide midwinter feast.
Where a red-faced Ara Mallow came with a sheaf of paper to their table. Under the stern gaze of their Rennie.
"Tell them," said Mx Mallow, arms folded and radiating disappointment at hir child.
"...greatfather langeven didn't leave me anything 'cause of i was mean," mumbled Ara. "A big mean shadow man came and made me write lines." They handed the papers over. "Merry Midwinterfeast."
"And...?" prompted Mx Mallow.
"...and I'm sorry I was mean to you 'bout Midwinterfeast," sulked Ara. "C'n I go now?"
Mx Mallow tipped hir hat to Charity, and lead Ara away to get some of the ginger buns.
The pages contained iterations of the same sentence. I must not gloat to make others feel bad.
"Homework," whispered Wit. Ze tucked the pages into the pocket of hir new winter cloak. "It's not fair that Ara didn't get anything... Can we make them something?"
"I might have half a poppet made in my basket," allowed Charity, who suspected Ara wouldn't get a gift. Living up to her name, she'd started work just in case the night after Wit's initial upset. Now she had motivation to finish it in a relative hurry. Wit and Ara wouldn't be fast friends from this, but there was a chance that Ara would learn a lesson about kindness.
The feast and merriment was winding to a close for the young one by the time Charity finished the poppet.
Wit insisted on carrying it over. "I don't think it's fair you got nothing for Midwinterfeast," ze said. "So I want you to have this."
It was a fabric Teufel, replete with pointed ears and little horns. Wearing a simple dress.
Ara stared at it for a long time. A week ago, they might have pitched a fit at having something so simple and domestically made. Now, after the lessons of the night, they said, "Thank you for your kindness." A little stiffly, but with a grace unknown previously.
Time would tell if Ara fully absorbed the lesson of the night.
If you like my stories, please Check out my blog and Follow me. Or share them with your friends! Or visit my hub site to see what else I'm up to.
Send me a prompt [48 remaining prompts!]
