Lonely Mr. Frizzpimpa - Contest Entry
Authors Note: I wrote this story for a Christmas Story contest that was in the local Newspaper. The only apparent requirements were that the story was to be unpublished and no more than 750 words. This is my entry to that contest. However even though I was trying not to go over the limit I still did. Thus I am putting both the Original and the Contest Entry on Mule Butter. Yet how can I do so if the work was supposed to be unpublished you ask. Well that my dear friends is simple. This wonderful fable woven by the literary genius that is me did not win. In fact it did not even get second or third place...not even an honorable mention...not a dishonorable mention even. Yes I'm certain you will agree after reading this story that it should have at least gotten an honorable mention. But alas the daft people who live in this town (other than myself, Mootha and Yllek and a smattering of others) cannot seem to grasp the true meaning of my art. Thus poor Mr. Frizzpimpa will be forced to remain lonely from now on. Though I was not all that surprised that my glorious entry did not win, rather I was expecting it to lose. Though I was hoping for once in my life I would be surprised by the people of this community and they would be able to understand something I did. Alack... alack... alas. Now let us begin the classic Christmas fable - Lonely Mr. Frizzpimpa.
“Oh holy night the stars are
brightly…”
Standing outside of the church on
a gusty Christmas Eve Kent Frizzpimpa huddled in his worn coat. The church choir
could
be heard from where he stood. But poor Mr. Frizzpimpa did not go inside. No, he
stood in the cold hoping some kind
stranger would ask him if he needed to be adopted. Knowing that if he suffered
enough someone would help him find some parents. Even after 23 years he had not
given up hope. Sure he could have gone on with his life after he was forcibly
removed from the orphanage at 20. But no, he knew that he must find a set of
parents and had sworn not to work until then.
The sun had gone down that day and Mr. Frizzpimpa’s spirits had sunk to an all time low. Not even the songs of Christmas joy could lighten his melancholy mood. He stood with only the canopy of stars over his head waiting for a Christmas miracle.
An elderly woman dressed in an
oversized coat limped down the snow-covered sidewalk. Earlier hooligans had
stolen her cane but even so she was filled with Christmas cheer and still wanted
to attend church on Christmas Eve. She saw a shadowy figure hunched against the
cold on the street. Walking up to it she could make out a young man in a
battered coat. His eyes seemed distant.
“My dear young man, are you lost?” She asked her voice weakened with age.
“Yes, I have been all my life.” He said blinking back unshed tears.
“Oh.” The woman breathed softly pondering his answer. “Perhaps I can help you. Where do you need to go?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. I wish I knew…” His voice trailed off.
“Well, I cannot help you with that, but perhaps if you make a wish on the Christmas Star.”
“I’ve wished on stars before. They never listen.” He said sighing.
“But have you ever wished on a Christmas Star?” She asked. He motioned no. “Christmas Stars always listen. All you have to do is look for the brightest star, the North Star. That is the one that lead the Shepard’s and Wise Men to Jesus; it has special powers on Christmas Eve. Just make a wish on that star tonight and you will get your answer.”
With that she was on her way.
Kent looked with unbelieving eyes as the old woman retreated.
“The North Star.” He murmured. “Might as well try.” So he looked to the sky and sought out the brightest star he could see. “Please North Star. Please let me find some parents.” Closing his eyes he waited. After a few minutes it became clear that nothing was going to happen. Opening his eyes he continued to wait.
Although to Kent Frizzpimpa it seemed as if his wish had been unheard he was wrong. The young man had never been very good at astronomy and so he had not wished upon the North Star but rather he had sent his wish to the brightest thing he could see in the sky, which just happened to be the lights on Santa’s sleigh. Upon hearing the sad plea of Mr. Frizzpimpa, Kris Kringle decided to talk to the young man. Commanding his reindeer to set the sleigh down in front of Kent his sleigh swooped from the sky.
Once the sleigh had landed onto the snow-powdered street Mr. Kringle made his way out of his seat and onto the street.
Kent Frizzpimpa’s eyes had widened and his jaw dropped. There in front of him stood the jolly fat man himself… Santa Claus.
“Actually, I prefer Kris Kringle.” The man in red intoned as if reading Mr. Frizzpimpa’s mind.
“I-I’m sorry.” Kent stammered, still awe struck.
“Kent Frizzpimpa.” Mr. Kringle continued. “I heard your heartfelt wish as I was flying overhead. Is it true that you long to have a set of parents?”
“Oh yes, it would mean the world to me. That is my only wish” Mr. Frizzpimpa said nodding.
“Then, would you like to come home with me? Mrs. Kringle and I get quite lonely at the North Pole with only the elves and reindeer to keep us company. And I could most definitely use some more help with toy production.” Mr. Kringle looked on expectantly.
With a huge grin Kent Frizzpima accepted. His Christmas wish had been answered. Happily he joined his new father, Father Christmas.