The Four Seasons of Rufus

   It was Christmas Eve and children (some adults, too) were still hoping for a white Christmas – their entreaties weighed heavy on Rufus for he could hear them and he decided to act -- there was little time to lose.

  Old Man Winter slumbered in a cave at the top of the mountain.  Rufus entered the frosty lair, grabbed the sleeping old man by his long white beard, slung him on his back like a sack of toys and walked down the mountain path in to town.

  When it began to snow, the smiling faces of children appeared in candle-lit windows and Rufus felt happy.

 

Part II

 

  Old Man Winter stayed in town for several months.  Then, as our sun slowly got closer he became lighter and lighter.  So light he became that he started to float in the air, moving higher and higher until he was back in his cave at the top of the mountain.  Weary, he settled in for a nice long nap.

  Rufus smiled.

 

Part III

 

  Spring ran out from cold water and began its dance, slowly at first but then faster and faster, like a dervish, until it exhausted itself and lay down in the tall green grass of summer.

 

Part IV

 

  Summer vaporized into autumn and darker days when children (and some adults) dream of a white Christmas.

  And Rufus listened and smiled.

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