Lonely Mr. Frizzpimpa - Original
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 The only apparent requirements were that the story was to be unpublished and no more than 750 words. Well this was my first crack at it. I was dealing with word restraints and that should be noted. 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 Yet how can I do so if the work was supposed to be unpublished you ask.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 sound of the choir could be heard from where he stood. But poor Mr. Frizzpimpa did not go inside. No, rather he stood out in the cold hoping some kind stranger would walk by and ask if he needed to be adopted. He knew that if he suffered enough the good lord 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 the age of 20. But no, that was not for him. He knew that he must find a set of parents and had from that day on sworn to neither work nor bath until he found a family.
The sun had gone down that day and while most people’s spirits were high Mr. Frizzpimpa’s had sunk to an all time low. Not even the songs of Christmas joy could lighten his melancholy mood. Now he stood with only the canopy of stars over his head waiting for a Christmas miracle. (His eyes were unfocused from eating the brownies some kind teen had left him and he was no longer thinking straight.)
An elderly woman dressed in an oversized beige coat limped down the snow-covered sidewalk. Early on in the day hooligans had stolen her cane but that had not daunted her Christmas cheer and would not stop her from attending church on Christmas Eve. She saw a shadowy figure hunched against the cold wind just a few feet away from her. Walking up to it she could make out a young man in a battered coat. His eyes seemed distant and were filled with unshed tears.
“My dear young man, are you lost?” She asked her voice weakened with old age.
“Yes, I have been all my life.” He said blinking back his tears.
“Oh.” She breathed softly as she pondered 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 with a sigh.
“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 wanting to get out of the cold.
Kent looked with unbelieving eyes as the old woman walked away.
“The North Star.” He murmured. “Might as well give it a 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.” He closed his eyes and waited. After a few minutes it became clear to him that nothing was going to happen. Opening his eyes he continued to wait for a kind soul.
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 Cringle decided to talk to the young man. Commanding his reindeer to set the sleigh down in front of the man his sleigh swooped from the sky.
Once the sleigh had landed onto the snow-powdered street Mr. Cringle made his way out of his seat and onto the street. His heavy girth made it difficult on any other day but on Christmas Eve. On this day however he was as agile as a circus performer, after all you had to be if you were going to fit into a chimney.
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 Cringle.” The man in red intoned as if reading Mr. Frizzpimpa’s mind.
“I-I um I’m sorry.” Kent stammered, still awe struck.
“Kent Frizzpimpa.” Mr. Cringle 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. There is nothing else I’d rather have.” Mr. Frizzpimpa said nodding.
“Then,” Mr. Cringle paused a moment, then he continued. “Would you like to come home with me? Mrs. Claus 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. Claus looked on expectantly.
With a huge grin Kent Frizzpima accepted. His Christmas wish had been answered. He looked to the North Star to give thanks and could no longer see it. Shrugging he joined his new father, Father Christmas.