The sun glowed a bright golden yellow as a light snow drifted from the morning sky. Even though the sun was shining bright, the sky was still cloudy with a lightly thick fog. It was finally winter in Brussels. Almost everyone was excited for the cold season. Even the kids were excited, since now there would be enough snow to play in. But there was something else that got the townspeople excited. Now that it was finally winter, it could mean one thing – Christmas time!
From within the gray clouds, a tiny snowflake fell from the sky. The snowflake fluttered as it drifted from the cold skies. The snowflake flew past tall trees without landing, and it continued its drift toward the tiny town of Brussels as people began to open their shops for the day. As the snowflake drew closer to the trees, a gust of wind blew it away, right in the nick of time. As the wind blew, it almost knocked a man's hat right off his head. "Oy!" he exclaimed as he went to pick up his hat. "Blasted wind's brewin' up quite a gale today!" The snow flake then blew away as the man placed his hat on his head.
The snowflake then continued its journey through the park, where people went ice skating at the pond, which was frozen solid into ice. The snowflake then began to dance around random people as they were gliding upon the solid ice. It seemed to match its rhythm to the flowing gyrations people made with their legs. The snowflake barely missed the sharp blade of a woman's ice skate and immediately flew away, passing children who were sledding down the hills, throwing snowballs, building a snowman, or just lying on the grounds and making snow angels.
Soon, the snowflake ventured its way through the streets as it flew past shops and stores in the town square. It blew as the wind carried its flurry and blew amber-brown leaves from a tree. Some people were even amazed that the snowflake was flying by. Crossing a busy street, a little boy saw the snowflake drifting by. "Mommy! Look at the snowflake!" the boy exclaimed. "Yes, Jimmy dear. It is a pretty snowflake," his mother said. "Hurry along now, we don't want to freeze in this weather!"
Now, the snowflake reached the apartment building in the streets next to the town. While the snowflake was slowly approaching the doorway, Benton and his family were rapidly approaching the front door. With his mouth covered by a thick wool scarf, Benton stared up high at the windows above him and smiled. After he had shut the door, the snowflake flew up high, and through an open window overhead.
Meanwhile, inside the warm apartment, Tintin was asleep in his bedroom. Instead of lying down comfortably on his bed, he was lying flat on his stomach, with one arm bent over his head, and snoring loudly. Soon, the tiny snowflake drifted from the open window, and came to rest softly on Tintin's nose. Tintin wiggled his nose a bit after feeling the cold and moist snowflake melt on his nose. He delivered a quiet yet forceful sneeze. Soon after, he went back to sleep, until he heard a knock on the door. "Brother?" Benton's voice could be heard from the other side. "Yes?" Tintin said, rising up in a lazy manner. "Tintin dear, you okay?" Lucille asked. "No, no, no," Tintin said, his eyes still closed. Yawning, he said, "I…I've been up for hours." Then, he fell back on his bed and slept.
"Tintin!" Benton said teasingly as he opened the bedroom door and found Tintin in bed. "Psst, Tintin!" Benton whispered in Tintin's ear. "It's snowing outside!" "Mmm, I love you too, Snowy," Tintin mumbled. "No, not Snowy!" Benton whispered. "It's snowing!" "Snooooooooowwwwwwwing," Tintin mumbled in his sleep. "It's snowing…" Soon, Tintin's eyes fluttered open.
"It's snowing outside?" Tintin said, getting up. "Yea," Benton said. "The kids want to go play in the snow today." "Me and Matthew were waiting a long time for snow to come!" Heidi piped up. Meanwhile, Snowy darted into the room while being chased by Cocoa. Snowy scrambled up the bed and onto Tintin's lap. "Hmm, that actually sounds like a good idea," Tintin said. "But for now, why don't I go and freshen up?" "Sure," Benton said, heading out of the bedroom. "The breakfast will be ready in a few."
Tintin got out of bed and began stretching his limbs out wide. "Bend the knees," he muttered. "Extend arms. And stretch!" He began his daily routine of squats and bends. "Up. And down. Up. And down." He looked over to Snowy. "Come on, boy," Tintin said, grabbing his bathrobe. "Wanna help me get the water started?" Snowy just barked and strutted out the door.
In the bathroom, Tintin felt the steam of the warm water fill him as he let the water run in the bathtub. "Ah, that smells warm," Tintin muttered. Soon, he had begun to unbutton his pajama top. Then, he pushed down the loose-fitting pants, and removed his socks. Until he finally stripped himself of his clothes, Tintin finally sunk into the water. Bliss. "Finally," he mumbled softly. "Nothing like a hot soak to warm up on a cold winter day." He began to wash himself, lathering soap on his arms and rubbing behind his ears. After he had plenty of time to clean himself up, he ran a long brush down his back. His skin felt smoother, like a newborn baby's skin. Then, Tintin took a moment to relax. He was almost sinking in the water when…
"Tintin!" Benton called from outside the bathroom. "Breakfast is ready!" "Ah yes. Okay!" Tintin said. Getting out of the bath, Tintin wrapped himself in a warm towel and headed back into his bedroom. After drying himself, Tintin put on a long-sleeved blue thermal shirt, his brown trousers, white socks, and shoes. As he began to tie his left shoe, Tintin inhaled the delicious smell of food from the kitchen. "Mmmm, that smells really good," Tintin said, licking his lips hungrily. After he had finished dressing, he sighed and headed for the kitchen.
When he entered the kitchen, Tintin took a deep breath. The intoxicating aroma of maple syrup filled the air as Lucille made the pancakes. "Brother dear! What took so long?" Benton asked. "I took a bath," Tintin said, sitting down. "Mommy made pancakes!" Heidi said. "I like pancakes," Matthew piped up. Snowy and Cocoa were play fighting with each other until they tired themselves out. "Pancakes are done!" Lucille said. "All right, let's eat!" Benton said as breakfast was served.
As they began to eat, Benton asked Tintin, "So tell me. What are your plans for the holiday season?" "I don't really know," Tintin said, his mouth full. "What about you?" "I have no idea," Benton said. "There's just too much to do, I can't name anything." "Well, I know for one thing that this holiday will be…" But before Lucille could finish, there was knocking on the door.
"I'll get it!" Tintin said, getting up. He walked over to the door, with Snowy and Cocoa trailing behind him. As Tintin opened the door, a mailman stood before. "You Mr. Tintin?" the mailman asked. "Yes," Tintin said. "Something came for me?" "Ay, yes, Tintin. Never thought you'd ask," the mailman replied, reaching into his satchel. "There you go, sir. Ah, looks like you've got an invitation from your good friend Haddock!" "Nice," Tintin said, eyeing the red envelope before him. "Anything else?" "Oh, yes. Almost forgot," the mailman said. He pulled out a rather heavy package wrapped in cloth and paper. "Think that's about it." "Okay, thank you," Tintin said, grabbing the package. "Have a good day, and try to stay warm." "Will do!" the mailman said as he walked away.
"So, what'd you get?" Benton asked. "Hmm, looks like an invitation from the Captain," Tintin said. "Open it! Let's see it!" Lucille asked eagerly. Tintin then ripped open the envelope and took out the card. "Well, what's it say?" Benton asked. "Hmm, it says," Tintin began to read, "'Dear Tintin, I'm holding a Christmas party at Marlinspike Hall on December 24. I took the time to invite some of our closest friends for the occasion. And I *shudder* even invited Castafiore too; I just hope she doesn't start belting out Christmas carols in high notes! We're also having a little gift exchange too at midnight as well. You're also more than welcome to bring your dear brother Benton and his clan too. Hope to see you there! Best wishes, Captain Haddock.'"
"A Christmas party! How wonderful!" Lucille said. "Wow, this is huge," Tintin said. "I've never been to a real Christmas party before, not since I was very young." "Well, you'll get to experience it for the first time!" Benton said. Matthew and Heidi eyed the package and ran up to it. "Uncle Tintin, what's this?" Heidi asked. "Hmm?" Tintin asked. He walked over to the counter and grabbed the package. Then, he set it on the table before him.
"What is that?" Benton asked. "Don't know," Tintin said, "but I think this card will tell me who it's from." He unfolded the card and read it aloud. "'Hey Ginger Boy,'" the card read, "'look what I found at the bakery down the street. Enjoy your gift. Your friend, Malina Ravenwood.'"
After Tintin read the card, Benton winced. "Uh oh, I think I know what it is," Benton said. "Oh, stop being such a baby," Tintin said. As he began tearing into the package, Benton burst out laughing. There, in front of Tintin, was a small but rather thick loaf of fruitcake. "Wow, a fruitcake," Tintin said. "Haha, I bet Malina decided to play a joke on you," Lucille said, giggling. "But I thought people usually give a fruitcake to somebody they hate on Christmas," Benton said. "You know what? I think this is so nice and considerate of Malina," Tintin said, grabbing a butter knife. "Eh, what're you doing?" Benton said. "I think it's time that I tried this," Tintin said, slicing a piece of fruitcake.
"Whoa, wait. Don't do it!" Benton said. "Why not?" Tintin asked. "I don't think you're gonna like it," Benton said. "It's not the kind of fruitcake you'd expect it to be." "Don't be so silly. I'll see if it's okay," Tintin said. Soon, he brought the slice of fruitcake to his mouth. "Oh, please don't!" Benton said. He saw Tintin preparing to bite down on a piece. "Ew, don't! I'm telling you, don't do it!" But his pleas did no help. Tintin was already chewing the piece of fruitcake, his eyes closed with anticipation. "Mmmmm," Tintin mumbled. "What just happened?" Benton asked. "I think he's…enjoying the fruitcake?" Lucille said, confused. "He actually likes it?" Of course, Tintin was slowly savoring each bite. After Tintin swallowed , he turned to Benton and Lucille, their eyes wide. "Something wrong?" Tintin asked. Benton shook his head.
"Okay, if we're done eating, let's get ready now," Lucille said. "The kids are just dying to go play in the snow." "Oh, right!" Tintin said. Hurriedly, he began wolfing his pancakes, occasionally slowing down a bit so he would not choke. Then, he hurried to his bedroom and thrust on his sweater, coat, and scarf. Then, he changed into his old hiking boots and put on a pair of dark blue mittens. "You ready now?" Benton asked as Tintin came out, fully prepared, and with Snowy decked out in a warm scarf and little booties. "Now I'm ready," Tintin said. "Okay, let's go," Lucille said. Soon, everybody was out of the apartment, ready to enjoy the snow.