cheeks and when he looked around, the town was surrounded by white snow covered evergreen trees. Looking left and right, all he could see were the new houses like his. He badly wanted to see the town he had heard so much about.
The rest of his family came outside. Dad said, "There's a map inside saying town is to our left about a ten minute walk. It said that the sidewalks have been cleared of snow so just follow the walk to town." They all followed the sidewalk to town. Others joined them along the way. Mostly it was quiet as all looked around in amazement at the scenery. Some of the younger ones could be heard exclaiming their excitement in their new environment.
As they approached town, houses made of wood stood two and three stories high. Smoke came out of most telling the newbie's that a fireplace or wood stove was heating the house. The closer they got to downtown, stores could be seen along both sides of a street. It was here that Joey saw his first horse and wagon parked in front of a lumber store. Next to it was the feed store and on into the center of town various stores were seen. Joey's mouth hung open wondering what was inside some of these stores. He badly wanted to go inside and look around. But father said later and they soon arrived at the town center.
Standing in the middle of the square stood a statue of some old guy with a beard with his arm pointing to the west. There was writing on the bottom, but too many of his own kind blocked access to the statue.
Most of his kind stood around talking and wondering about this and that. Joey wandered off towards the post office and just as he thought about going in, out walked a pretty girl about his own age. She smiled at him and he fell in love on the spot. She said, "Welcome to Terra. My name is Sunflower and what is yours?"
"Joey is my name and thank you for having us to your home. This place is amazing. I've never seen snow before. The air is so cool and feels nice on my face."
"We all know you have only a human face and not a human body to go with it. That's all right with us. Your brain is the same as ours, they say. Anyway, tomorrow tonight we have a sleigh ride to sing carols and begin our Christmas season. Would you like to go with me," she said rather sheepishly.
Joey's face turned even redder as he blurted out, "Sure I would. Does that mean we ride in a wagon being pulled by horses?"
"Yes, we don't have any cars or motor vehicles on our planet. We're a simple civilization that likes the old ways of Earth a long time ago. The exhaust of motors pollutes the air we breathe. Factories belch smoke and cause breathing difficulties. I think you get the idea, Joey."
"Our culture or civilization went pass that point and now produce energy pollution free. However, to get there, it takes a step at a time. I like this way best. I'm anxious to experience all of your ways first hand. Now, when do we go for a hay ride?"
Joey's big sister, Andi, was chatting with a young man with a blonde beard and blue eyes. Andi thought him very handsome and loved the shiny blue eyes looking her over. There was not much to look at because their bodies were covered in a robe like dress that reached to the ankles.
Andi asked, "How do you celebrate Christmas, Mr. Larch?"
"We follow our ancient ancestors with a tree and all the decorations we have made or traded for. We sing the old songs of Christmas. We all believe in Santa Claus and you watch, he'll fly here in his sleigh with his reindeer."
"Sounds wonderful. I can't wait until its Christmas Eve. How about food and things like that? Unfortunately for us, we don't usually eat, but we can taste and swallow."
"For us, eating is a time for conversation about what the day was like and what we did and learned. Christmas dinner is usually some fowl food. We tried raising turkeys, but they are really stupid animals. Then we went to pork. Our pork or pigs are very lean and almost fat free. We like healthy foods."
"How many in your family, Mr. Larch?"
"I'm the oldest son and have one younger brother. There're four in my family. And in yours?"
We have four also. My younger brother is over there talking to that pretty girl."
"That's Sunflower. She's a very intelligent girl. The town thinks she will be a leading scientist of soils."
"Well, I must go now. I'd love a ride on one of the wagons some time."
"I'll pick you up tomorrow night for a hay ride on Christmas Eve. We ride around singing and waiting for Santa to come. When we see him, we go home and go to bed. He comes and gives us presents under our tree. We get up the next morning and see what he brought."
"I'd love to see a real Santa Clause. Does he live at your North Pole?"
"Yes, he lives there, but nobody has ever been to the North Pole because it's too cold up there."
"I see. Well, I'll wait for you tomorrow. It's been nice meeting you Mr. Larch."
Andi found her brother, mother and father standing listening to some town's person give a welcoming speech. She joined them and listened, but her mind was not on the speaker, but on the idea there really was a Santa Claus.
The town closed down at dusk. Everybody went home to eat and sleep. Joey and family went home, but sat around with a candle burning talking about the strange planet there were on.
Father said, "Well, family, what do you think of this planet so far?"
Each of the other three looked at each other waiting for someone to speak first. A full ten seconds went by and then Joey, got brave.
"I think this place makes me feel good and right at home. The people here work a lot each and every day except on Sunday when they go to church. I met this girl who told me that tomorrow night is a hay ride where they sing carols about Christmas. She invited me to come along. I want to go and experience the event."
Andi said, "Me too. I met a man who told me the same thing. He also said that after midnight, Santa comes delivering presents and spreading joy and good will. I like that idea and hope I can really see the mythical Santa Claus and his reindeer."
"Don't get your hopes up too high, Andi. The Santa Claus myth has been around for thousands of years. What makes you think this Claus is immortal?"
"I know Dad. But even if it's not true, the idea is warm and a nice break from our past lives."
Mother said, "My head is tired so why don't we give it a rest until tomorrow. I for one will wait for judgment day about Mr. Claus."
When they all woke up the next day, it was snowing like crazy. Andy rushed out the door and nearly fell head first into the thick snow that lay on the ground. When he stopped and looked down, the snow was up to his knees!
He turned around and made his way back into the house. He said, "Now that is what we call a bunch of snow. How are we supposed to get around if this continues to accumulate?"
"Let's wait until somebody walks by and see what we have to do to get around. I for one want to hang around town and see what people do," said Joey.
"Good idea," said Dad. "Look, there goes a wagon with two big horses pulling a sleigh wagon. I see it has some bags filled with what I have no idea. I think it comes from the feed store. That's where you want to go, Joey and Andi. Mother and I are connecting with home and want to know what the meteor is doing."
When Father, after the kids left, tried to contact their home planet, there was not any response to their hails. They feared the worst and later when word filtered down from somewhere, the planet no longer existed. Apparently, some escaped and some did not make it to safety. It would be a long time before all the facts were known. Meanwhile, they had to make do with this planet. This was their new home. Both parents wondered how they would fit in with the indigenous culture. Both decided to not tell the kids anything for the time being.
Joey and Andi had made it to the sidewalk trudging through the heavy snow. Once at the sidewalk, the snow was not as deep. And at the same time, Sunflower came walking down the sidewalk with these funny looking things on her feet. She said, "Here are two pairs of snow shoes for you guys to walk in. It makes walking in snow very easy. I'll help you put them on."
"I don't know what to say. I hope we can learn to use them. I saw
you walking very well, but we have no idea what they are. Nothing in our history speaks of this tool for walking. Our planet has controlled weather. Snow isn't part of the weather back home. Many thanks, Sunflower. By the way, this is my sister, Andi."
"Very nice to meet you, Andi. Now let's see how you handle your new shoes." They took off slowly and had to learn to keep their feet apart more than normal, but in no time they were walking well. The closer they got to town, the more activity was happening. Church bells were heard, choirs were practicing singing, stable workers were brushing horses for the upcoming hay rides, and shop keepers put up new discounts for presents as this was the last shopping day until Christmas.
All that was seen by the off- worlders appeared almost magical. People had on colorful clothing contrasting the white snow piled everywhere. Bells on animals were a nice sound to keep pace with walking. Little kids were throwing snowballs at each other. Old folks watched with envy wishing they were young again.
Sunflower said, "Let's go get some warm cider to drink. It's very tasty and fresh this last fall. I like it with cinnamon. Follow me. It's just around the corner next to the book store."
Walking through the cut glass windows in the door, hearing the bells jiggling their arrival, Andi and Joey saw small round tables in Christmas colors of green and red. Sunflower told them to sit down and she would get their snacks. Andi and Joey sat