Nia, the little raccoon, loved winter nights. She enjoyed watching the twinkling stars, making tiny snow forts, and sipping warm berry tea. But this winter felt different—the forest was too quiet.
“Where are the lights and laughter?” Nia wondered. The usual holiday glow was missing!
As she wandered through the woods, she spotted something shimmering beneath a tall pine tree—a small golden lantern!
Nia picked it up, and suddenly, the lantern flickered to life! A soft voice whispered, “Kindness brings the brightest light.”
Nia gasped. “Magic!”
She had an idea. She would spread kindness to bring the holiday spirit back!
First, she visited Benny the Squirrel, who looked cold. Nia shared her cozy scarf with him. The lantern glowed brighter!
Next, she found Momo the Bear, feeling lonely in his cave. Nia invited him for a walk. The lantern shined even more!
Then, she saw Pip the Bird, struggling to find food. Nia shared her last acorn. The lantern sparkled like a star!
As Nia helped her friends, tiny golden lights flickered all over the forest. The trees twinkled, the snow glowed, and soon, the whole forest was filled with holiday magic!
Nia smiled. “The magic wasn’t in the lantern… it was in kindness all along!“
From that night on, the animals made a new tradition—spreading kindness every holiday season.