A Visit to the Giant Gingerman

(As indicated at the end of this, this is a holiday post from 2013. I have updated it and republishing upon request. The current post, "Climbing my Family Tree" is below. Sorry... Couldn't get it to publish in the right spot!)

The little girl was sad. The book she loved - the one once filled with happy endings - had changed. There wasn't a happy ending to be found, and the residents in the land of magical characters were as distressed as the little girl. It was, after all, Christmas time, and one shouldn't feel sad at Christmas! So, she asked the Sugarplum Fairy what to do.

The Sugarplum Fairy had to agree. There was no prince for Cinderella, Granny Wolf triumphed over Red, and while brainy, brave and filled with heart, the Scarecrow, Lion and Tin Man were adrift.

These weren't dilemmas Santa could solve with a beautiful gift or pretty bauble. No, it was time for a meeting.

They all gathered - Gepetto, the Cowardly Lion, Winnie the Pooh and more - determined to come up with a plan.

"It's not bad at all," said Pinocchio of the situation - but then his nose grew another inch.

Finally Jiminy Cricket resolved, "We must go see the Giant Gingerman at the top of the evergreen. He oversees all things magical. Perhaps he can help us."

And so, they began climbing to the top of the evergreen tree where the Giant Gingerman oversaw all things on the tree, protected by his phalanx of Gingerboys who stood guard in front of the popcorn fence...

...and gumdrop barricade.

But it was a hard climb, and they realized they must work together if they were ever to reach the top. First they had to trust each other -- and they were a little worried about a wolf in Grandma's clothes.

"We'll never make it," said Raggedy Ann.

"We can," Andy told her, and took her hand.

"My sheep will go ahead of us. They'll eat the grass and make us a trail," said Bo Peep. If we all keep an eye out, we won't lose them.

"I can grab onto a branch with my hook," said the Captain. "Just hold onto my other hand and I'll pull you up," he told Pooh.

Inch by inch they climbed the tree, helping one another up through the prickly branches, the glass ornaments and the sparkling snowflakes. They ignored the jokes of the jester, determined to reach their goal.

They passed the magical Snowland, all shiny brite in the sparkling lights.

And finally they came to a rest stop with sweet and savory smells coming from the kitchen.

The snow lady welcomed them.

"Let's stop for tea," Granny Wolf suggested. "I promise, I won't eat you. We have work to do!"

"I want some candy!" said Red.

"I'd like some Hunny," said Pooh.

"And muffins, too!" Peter Pan added!

"I'd prefer a bottle of wine," said the Tin Man. "That would warm the heart!"

And after a lovely treat, to the rhythmic beat of the tick-tocking croc, they began their climb again.

"I will fight any dangers that come along," said Captain Hook, brandishing his sword. But some weren't so energetic.

"My feet are tired," said the Cowardly Lion, who was less cowardly than weary from carrying his heavy mane.

"Let me help you," said Peter. He sprinkled fairy dust on the lion and the others.

"Just think lovely thoughts!" he said, and they magically flew to the top.

The Giant Gingerman greeted them, and asked what they wanted.

"We want a happy ending, sir," said Geppetto, as the Giant Gingerman listened carefully.

"I want all the children in the world to have beautiful endings and be happy," said Pinocchio (and his nose got smaller!).

"You had the happy endings all along," said the Giant Gingerman (who had done tutorials with the Wizard of Oz and knew that most answers were inside ourselves). You simply worked together and realized that together you were a good team. Everyone had their job, even the Captain! You were all part of the story."

Granny was kind and helped you all," he continued. "She didn't try to eat a one of you! Sometimes you need to have a clever wolf on your side."

"All you had to do was look inside yourselves and see how everyone is important in their own way. And then, you made a story, a story filled with heart."

Suddenly they all heard a bell ring!

"Don't you know that when a bell rings, another angel gets its wings," the supposedly smart Scarecrow said. (Actually, he just watched a lot of Christmas movies.)

"That," said Peter, "is from another story. Not this one! Come on, let's go! If we hurry, we can catch the cookie train!"

Peter, the Captain and the Croc returned to Neverland, ready for more adventures.

Pinocchio, Jiminy and Geppetto returned to their workshop, while the Tin Man, Scarecrow and Lion went in search of Dorothy.

Red had another piece of candy and made her way home from Grandma's very quickly, looking carefully over her shoulder -- just in case.

Everyone went on their way... and the little girl?

She finished her story (which ended happily ever after, of course) and then she went out to play and celebrate Christmas with all her friends.

Merry Christmas! 

This post,originally published on Christmas Day, 2013, features ornaments from my "Mom" tree -- ornaments either collected by made by her (Raggedy Ann and Andy, Bo Peep) or those gathered later in her spirit. It includes the gingerbread popcorn strands she made, the Giant Gingerman (made by my dad), Storybook ornaments by Iaulanda, a Red Riding Hood that arrived on flowers when I was sick in the fourth grade, a bell from my Grandmother's tree and other favorites. I'm a better photographer now and one day will do over the photos. Till then, enjoy!.