It’s All About The Story

I wrote this poem for Christmas last year. I hope in the craziness of the day you remember what's most important. It seems it's the simple things that bring us the most joy Conquering a fear Grasping a concept Exploring the unknown Entering the land of make-believe Seeing the world only as a child can see It seems it's the simple things that bring us the most power Earning a new friend That song playing on the radio Getting lost in a good story Breaking out in unexpected laughter Seeing the world only as a youth can see It seems it's the simple things that bring us the most meaning Getting cozy at the end of a long, busy day Making a breakthrough Discovering your new favorite food A conversation with someone you haven't seen in awhile Seeing the world only as an adult can see It seems it's the simple things that bring us the most magic Softly falling flakes Stolen mistletoe kisses Presents wrapped with a bow Thoughtfulness that brings about miracles Seeing the w...

Every year as a part of our family's Christmas celebration, I'm in charge of the Nativity. I've provided various versions over the years and this was one of my favorites. As I've mentioned before, I'm all about seeing stories from different perspectives. I suppose it was only natural that I write about one of the most famous stories in history from a different angle. I was even able to convince one of my brothers to pose for a photo to include as a visual while I read this short story to my family on Christmas Eve. I woke to the sounds of rejoicing, but was confused for the reason. In the darkness, it seemed as if the noise was from my brothers, coming towards me. But I was unprepared for their story. It had a typical morning for me. I rose from my bed, hearing my brothers already awake and preparing to head to the pastures. I splashed my face with water, thankfully not too cold. It had been a long winter; spring had finally come upon us in the last weeks. I dawned ...

Here is the last scene. If you haven't read the first scenes, check them out here by selecting 1 , 2 , 3 , or 4 . Scene 5 (Hansel and Gretel return to center stage as the curtain closes behind them.) HANSEL See? GRETEL We told you that wasn’t the story of Hansel and Gretel you knew. HANSEL There was no wicked witch. GRETEL And we weren’t going to be eaten! HANSEL Frau Koch’s grandson, Luther, came to stay with her in the summers and he became one of my best friends. GRETEL I spent many afternoons with Frau Koch and she taught me how to make her famous cupcakes. HANSEL (Slyly.) And what about Oskar you may ask? GRETEL (Teasing.) Don’t worry! We had help getting him back. (Hansel exits. Gretel steps back.)  GRETEL (To herself.) Okay, how are we going to do this? Do I stand next to Frau Koch and encourage Oskar to believe? Or should I just watch what Hansel is doing and copy him? (Pauses, thinking.) Ooh, maybe I should hide. (Satisfied.) Yes, that’s what I’ll do. I’ll hide somewhe...

Another week, another scene. If you missed the first three scenes, check out Scene 1 , Scene 2 , and Scene 3 here. If you're caught up, enjoy! Scene 4 (Hansel and Gretel are deep in the woods.) GRETEL (Nervous.) Hansel! I think we’re too far away from home. HANSEL (Teasing.) Nonsense. I’ve been out here loads of times with Oskar and Kurt. We think we found something last time. GRETEL (Scared.) F-f-found something? HANSEL Yep. We would have looked further if it hadn’t been for that dog howling. GRETEL D-d-d-dog? Like Frau Koch’s one-eyed watch-dog? HANSEL (Trying to scare his sister.) The very same. Turns out that Oskar was telling the truth. I didn’t believe him and neither did Kurt so one day Oskar took us out to see if we could find her cottage. We made it until (stopping) right here. That’s when we heard the dog. GRETEL Was it the one-eyed dog? HANSEL (In a spooky voice.) Yes. Kurt saw it with his own eyes! GRETEL (Gasps.) No! We need to leave! HANSEL (In his normal voice....

Here is the next scene! If you missed them, be sure to go read scenes 1 and 2 before continuing.  Scene 3 (Hansel and Gretel go to greet their father who is standing outside their home.) GRETEL Guten tag, Vater. HANSEL Yes, good day, Father. HOLTZMANN Hello, children. (Gives them each a hug.) How was school today? HANSEL It was good. We learned that Freiberg is “The Jewel of the Black Forest”. HOLTZMANN (Proudly.) Yes, it is. And what did you learn, Gretel? GRETEL Oskar told us a story about an old hag that lives in the heart of the Black Forest and how a little boy disappeared. HOLTZMANN Now, now, children. We mustn’t listen to every story we are told. That’s all they are, just stories. No children have disappeared in the woods. GRETEL  (Uneasy.) Are you sure? HOLTZMANN (Kneels down in front of her and gives her another hug.) Of course, my little Gretel. (Stands up.) Come, children, we must gather wood. There will be a storm soon and we must gather enough wood to last u...