Chapter Text
All the seasons in the forest had their own unique beauty and the wildlife knew how to appreciate each one and the gifts that they brought with them. But winter was a favorite. True it was cold and food was scarce, but the cold brought the families together and the animals shared what food they had with each other. True there were some that didn't share winter's beauty and gifts (the birds that went south and the animals like bears, foxes, and skunks who hibernated) but all in all the forest was a wonderful place to live. And a magical time was coming: Christmas. The animals loved Christmas. They celebrated it a little different from the humans. They didn't care about presents. They celebrated the true meaning of the holiday.
🎄🎄🎄
Cuddle the rabbit emerged from her borrow to the snow-covered forest. She loved this time of year. Her sister Snuggle came up beside her. They knew to be careful as winter was the predators' season. Smaller animals like them had an easier time than larger ones like deer and moose but still a wise animal was careful. To become complacent was to meet death at the fangs of a predator. Fortunately, the foxes were hibernating and the wolves, coyotes, and cats tended to hunt at night, so they were safe for now.
"All's clear," the sisters called down the warren to their family.
The two rabbits hopped further out of the warren, making room for the others. First up was their younger brother Peter. He sniffed around carefully before moving aside to let everyone else up. Following him came their father, Buck. He had sprained a paw running from a fox in his youth and the cold bothered it sometimes. Next out were the twins Bucky and Sprint followed by the triplets Angel, Shadow, and Patch. Their mother Rose came next with the latest littler which included Holly, Honeysuckle, Violet, and Hibiscus. Finally, their grandparents emerged.
“Hello,” came a voice as a coyote approached.
“Well good morning, Tracker,” Rose said. “How was the hunting last night?”
“Good. The pack found an old elk. He was ready but still gave us a good chase.”
“How’s your grandmother, dear?” Grandma Rabbit asked hopping up to him and patting his muzzle with a forepaw.
“She’s very well, Mrs. Cottontail. The cold’s bothering her joints a little though.”
“The poor old thing. You give her my best.”
“I will. See you at the Christmas celebration.”
With that, Tracker trotted off to rejoin his pack.
“He’s a good boy,” Grandma Rabbit said, “even if he is a predator.”
While the family knew that they had nothing to fear form the predators living in the forest but there were still the ones that lived outside the forest. Fortunately, the local predators patrolled the boarders well so the arrival of an unknown predator was few and far between. The herbivores lived safe with the knowledge that their carnivores only targeted the old and sick keeping the herds healthy. And this time of year, the carnivores were even less inclined to hunt unless necessary. With Christmas coming, all the animals of the forest felt a sense of peace and goodwill towards each other. And everyone looked forward to the big Christmas celebration held each year in the heart of the forest.