Swapping Christmas stories and I hope ya'll like it!


Chapter 7: Christmas Stories

A few hours later, Musaki, Fu, Ichi and Kaguya were in Musaki's room and just hang out with each other and and have some fun and also to celebrate Christmas with each other. Musaki smiles at them and picks up a candy cane and starts sucking at it. Kaguya looked at him with amusement and sees Musaki's blue eyes start rolling. She said, "You look so funny and also so cute when you eat a candy cane."

Musaki chuckled and said, "Hey, it's Christmas. Might as well live in the moment."

"Did you tell them yet?"

"Not quite."

"WHAT?! Why not?"

"Well, I was gonna tell them like you said I would, but then I was so focused on having fun with you guys that I totally forgot."

Kaguya sighed heavily and said, "Musaki...."

"Sorry, I'll tell them soon."

"Yeah, exactly how soon?"

"Pretty soon."

"Where's your holiday spirit?" asked Ichi.

"It's still here."

"Really? Doesn't seem like it."

"Well, I love Christmas. A time of year to celebrate with friends and family."

"You've been reading Christmas cards again, haven't you?"

"Hey, they're sweet and sentimental."

"Emphasis on the part you just said, only the 'senti' is dropped and there's just 'mental'."

Kaguya laughed sarcastically and said, "Someone's a scrooge."

"Oh, please! Like you would know."

Musaki and Fu looked at each other and he said, "It sounds like they're like you."

"How so?" asked Fu.

"Well, you guys argue a lot, that's for sure."

"Well, that's what most brothers and sisters do."

Musaki scoffed and rolled his eyes and kept sucking his candy cane while Ichi and Kaguya argue a little. He sighs and said, "Hey, guys. It's Christmas. Does 'peace on earth and goodwill toward men' ring a bell?"

They froze and stared at Musaki and couldn't believe what he just said. Ichi asked, "Did you just say what I think you just said?"

"I couldn't believe it, either." said Kaguya.

"Well, I keep overhearing those words while I was sulking in my room in the orphange. It didn't make a lot sense, but I kinda understand it now."

"How?" asked Fu.

"See the good in all people. Which is pretty much what I've done since living in the palace, anyway."

"Musaki's right. We all do see the good in other people, even if they can't see it."

"You always know just what to say."

"It comes to me, just naturally."

Then, there was a knock on the door and Musaki said, "Come in."

The door opens and in comes Po, just checking in. He smiled and said, "Hey, guys."

"Hey, Po." they said.

"Hey, Lil' Saki. Feel like coming outside with us? You guys can come too. We're gonna pass on our own Christmas stories." Po said.

"Christmas stories?" asked Ichi.

"About our christmas experiences."

Musaki seems to find it very interesting to hear what other people do to celebrate the holidays in their past and see what kinda of stories those are. He looked at Po and said, "I would love to hear those stories."

"Awesome! We'll be in the Peach Tree in a few minutes."

"Looks like it's the perfect time to tell them your story, Musaki."

Musaki chuckled nervously and said, "Yeah, I guess. Not sure how they would react though."


Sacred Peach Tree of Heavenly Wisdom

They all got to the tree and Po, Crane, Musaki, Ichi, Fu, Kaguya, Mantis, Tigress, Viper, Monkey and Jo were all there and Shifu was standing in front of them, eager to listen to all of their stories. He opened his blue eyes and saw everyone standing there. He said, "My students, we have now got a new christmas tradition--passing out our very own personal experiences of Christmas--whether it be good or bad--just tell us your stories and we'll be happy to listen."

Shifu looked at Musaki and said, "Since you now have the holiday spirit, why don't you start off, Musaki?"

Everyone looked at him and Musaki got plenty nervous and asked, "Y-you sure you want to listen?"

"Come on, Lil' Saki. Tell us about your christmas." Po said, in encouragement.

Musaki stood up and said, "To be kinda honest with you guys--I've never told anyone this, except for Shifu, Po, Kaguya, Ichi, Fu and Jo--but I've never celebrated Christmas."

Most of them were in shock to hear what Musaki just said. Mouths were dropped and they couldn't believe what they heard. Monkey asked, "You've never celebrated christmas?"

"Never. I don't even remember my first christmas when I was younger."

"Do tell us the story." Viper said.

"Throughout most of my childhood, I've never had a Christmas at Bao Gu Orphanage. They would always have parties, kids participating and such and always giving out presents and then, parents adopting kids. Every year, I would hide myself in my room because I wouldn't be a dark cloud for them and let no one see me cry or still in pain and grieve. The only wish that I wanted for Christmas more than anything was a family. I was the only that didn't make it come true, because I didn't have any confidence and I was nervous that they would want a young person who's still grieving every single year over the loss of their parents. I had a christmas memory once before my parents died, but as I was growing up, that memory could never show up. It got lost during my depression and grieving point. I always dreamt that one of those days that one family that would adopt me would help me take away all the sadness and angst that I've bottled up inside for so long and just be happy again. And it turns out that I did get my Christmas wish after all---you guys."

Most of them were in tears about Musaki's story and it touched Po the most. Musaki looked at Po and sees all the tears coming from his eyes and started crying. He looked up with tears on his face and told him, "That has to be the saddest story I've ever heard. I never realized that you were so alone and never had a friend in the world, even on Christmas."

"Sometimes, most of my years on Christmas were all grieving and moping because of my parents' loss."

"That was a great story, Musaki. And you told it so beautifully." Viper said.

Musaki smiled and said, "Thank you."

Shifu looked at him and said, "I admire you for telling us your story very much and there will always be a spirit of christmas in your heart. May it will shine brightly with your spirit."

"Thanks, Shifu."

"All right, is there anyone else that can share their experience?"

"I'll go next." Ichi said.

Ichi came in and shared his story with Fu and told them their story. He cleared his throat and said, "Well, I've never had a christmas before, because the only memory that keeps rewinding in my head is me killing my parents. I felt as if I did celebrate it with everyone, I would lose control of my anger and end up killing everyone and I didn't want to take that risk, so I was isolated as well...until you guys and Fu came along and tried to get me into the spirit. Even though I resisted, you guys did everything you could to help me out anyway."

"We had to. We couldn't celebrate Christmas without you." Po said.

"Besides, you're family." Viper said.

"I've helped him get into the spirit too!" Fu exclaimed.

Ichi chuckled and said, "That's true. You did do that."

"Me next!" Kaguya said.

Kaguya stood up and said, "I love Christmas a lot. I celebrate it with my family and friends and every year, we would always do so many christmas traditions; sing christmas carols, decorate the tree, go out in the snow and also, play some run over the snowman."

Musaki and Ichi looked at each other and Ichi asked, "What kind of game is 'Run over the snowman'?"

Kaguya gasped and asked, "You've never heard of it before?"

"Not that we know of." Musaki said.

"Here's how you play it-- we build a snowman, then we slide on the snow and then, we go up in the air and throw ourselves in front of the snowman and it falls apart in pieces. Sounds like an awesome game."

"Seems like it." Fu said.

"I'll pretty much show you guys everything I know." Kaguya said.

"Hope so, cause I wouldn't want to demolish a snowman with my awesomeness." Po said.

"Even if you could demolish a snowman, your belly would make a great example of it." Mantis said.

"Okay, Mantis. Let us hear your story, since you spoke up." Shifu said.

Everyone 'ooooohed' him and Mantis rolled his eyes and said, "Okay, I will."

He clears his throat and said, "Every year where I come from, we would always celebrate the holidays with a little Navajo twist in it. My grandfather would always put in some Native Navajo folk decorations all over the colony. It was like something completely out of the old ways and turn it into something new. Anyways, their traditions were always singing Navajo songs, hold a festival on who could make the coolest christmas trees, dress up as elves and even do a contest on who could kiss every girl under the mistletoe in over an hour."

"Let me stop you on this. So, in one hour, you could kiss every girl if they're underneath the mistletoe?" asked Musaki.

"Most likely. It became my favorite part of it always, because--surprise, surprise--I was known as the best kisser there."

"How many girls did you kiss?" asked Kaguya.

"That's what I want to know." Viper said.

"About 89....or 91, I think."

"You kissed 91 girls for an hour?" asked Ichi.

"Yeah, I guess."

"That's weird, but I kinda like it for some unusual reason."

"Okay, then. To avoid Mantis for filling my head with--ahem--certain minor wackiness in my noggin, it is Crane's turn. What is your Christmas story?"

"I thought you'd never ask, Master. I'm pretty much a fan of Christmas, and I always celebrate it with my family and friends and loved ones. We would always have fun together over the holidays and our traditions where fly up the sky and see all the stars, decorate our wings with christmas ornaments and also, cover ourselves with christmas lights."

"Isn't that kinda...dangerous?" asked Musaki.

"And full of horse puckey?" asked Mantis.

"You wouldn't know horse puckey if it shocked your vertebrae." Crane said.

"What is horse puckey, anyway?"

"Craziness."

"Gotcha."

"Anywhoo, my family had some odd traditions, but my parents always like to fly on the stars at night, sing some carols and even tell christmas stories. And every Christmas Eve, we would always dress up as a tree, Santa Claus, elves and whatnot. And they would always throw parties and my uncle drinks a lot of eggnog."

"How much?" asked Tigress.

"One too many."

"That's one crazy uncle. No offense." Kaguya said.

"It's okay. My parents are always embrassed to have him in our parties, because he drinks too much eggnog."

"Does it bug you the most?" asked Ichi.

"Yes, Ichi. It does."

"Well, that was an amazing and strange story. What about you, Tigress?"

"Oh, boy. Here it comes." Musaki groaned.

"You don't want to hear Tigress' story?" asked Ichi.

"No, I just don't want to hear her yacking about her past too much, without getting emotional and such. It kills me."

"Show some sensitivity." Kaguya said.

"I will, once her story is finished."

"As I was saying...."

Tigress glared at Musaki and quickly said, "Love you!" to prevent him from getting pounced on.

"Anyways, my family never had a Christmas. All they do is just fight every single night and Christmas is their most hated holiday, because everyone is in a good mood and such. They don't like it when they see everyone in a good mood and they never had the Christmas spirit like everyone else. One day, I had the Christmas spirit and my parents didn't like it, and my father would beat me up every fewer days and every night, I get nightmares about it. When Christmas Day came, everyone sent us gifts and my parents rejected them, but I never did and my parents hurt me for getting into the spirit of Christmas and to this day... I felt like I would get in the spirit because everyone else has. It's not like I did anything wrong or something. I just love Christmas a lot, but my parents didn't and I'm upset about that."

A few tears were streaming down her face and she quickly wiped them off. Musaki looked at her and said, "Okay, I knew it would be a rambling story of your past--as always--but that's brutal. Your parents beating you up because you have the Christmas spirit? That's harsh."

"Really harsh."

"There are some that are into the holiday spirit and some who are not so much into it, but they could've at least try to see what it's like."

"I wish you would've told me that sooner."

"If I did, they'd kill me right now."

"What possessed them to not get into the holiday spirit?" asked Po.

"That's what I want to know?"

"I don't know."

"Wow. That was really sad. But, I'm sure you'll find happiness in your heart and also in your parents." Shifu said.

"Thank you, master." Tigress said.

"Now, Monkey. Tell us your story."

"Okay, Us golden langurs have ways of celebrating the holiday spirit; acrobatics and dance. We would always have these contests to see who gets the most holiday spirits, make the best hot chocolate and also best acrobatic dance while hearing some christmas songs. I would show off my skills and also dance to them. Other than that, I always celebrated it with my family for many years and it became the best holidays in my past. Most of those contests are basically holiday traditions and our family traditions are making everything that involves bananas."

"Like what?" asked Musaki.

"Banana bread, banana pie, banana cookies--with some almonds on them--, banana cake and banana soup."

"Hold up. Banana soup?"

"Yep."

"That's....unusually weird."

"It's really good to make, though. All you do is get some bananas and mash them and then, cream them and put in some more ingredients like, mangos, strawberries and noodles."

"Noodles? You put noodles on the soup?" asked Po.

"Oh, yeah. Always."

"Sounds pretty good. Hearing about is making me hungry."

"It can wait, panda. Thank you for the story, Monkey."

"You're welcome, master."

"Now, we hear from Viper."

"Well, my Christmas story, I'm a huge fan of Christmas like Crane said, but most times, I would always try everything to get into the spirit by making everyone else happy and my family is pretty good with making children smile. My mother and father would always have these Christmas plays in order to get children into the holiday spirit and we would always give back to those in need and help them get into the spirit of Christmas. It always puts a smile on every parents and kids faces as well, and we love giving back. I'm involved on my ribbon dancing skills to make these children happy and they love my ribbon dancing skills." Viper explained.

"Wow. You do ribbon dancing?" asked Musaki.

"That's right."

"Incredible. Can I see one of those someday?"

"Of course."

"Great story, Viper. Is that everyone?"

"Well, not everyone. There's Po."

"Right, of course. Let me hear your story, Master Po."

Po chuckles and said, "Well, I'm very excited when it comes to Christmas, because I always have the holiday spirit in me and I celebrate it with my dad every year. He's a huge christmas fanatic as I am...well that and noodles. My dad's traditions were decorating the entire store with holiday stuff, sing christmas carols--I sing better than my dad--and make some noodles to warm ourselves up. And I would play Santa Claus for kids every year."

"That's no surprise." Mantis muttered.

"Mostly, I love presents and being around my dad and it's always been the best Christmases ever with him around."

"Aw, that's sweet." Viper said.

"That's incredible."

"Thank you, guys."

"Well, panda. It seems as though you love spending time with your father." Shifu said.

"Yes, I do, master."

"I guess that's it, then."

"Hold on, Shifu. You haven't told us your christmas story." Musaki said.

"You sure you want to listen?"

"Of course."

Shifu sighs and knew that there was one story that deems a very troubled past. He looks at them and said, "My Christmas story is pretty much the same as Musaki's, but different. When I was a kid, my father was never around for the holidays. He was pretty much in and out of my life every year, especially Christmas. One day, I was younger and I wondered when my father was coming back, because he said he was gonna come home with spend time with us and it was Christmas Eve. I waited for him for hours...and waited...and waited....and waited. And he never showed up. Then, my mother came to check on me and I asked her, 'Mom, is dad coming home for Christmas?' and she looked at me with tears coming out of her eyes and replied, 'No, son. He's not coming home....because he's dead.' It really devastated me and it broke my heart to know that he's really gone. Then, I grabbed a hold of my mother's arms and started crying. It became the most darkest Christmas of my life without my father around and to this day, I dread it coming because everytime it's December 24th, I still think of that fateful day...when my father wasn't coming home."

Everyone was surprised that Shifu's own father couldn't come home for the holidays. Musaki asked, "Where did he go?"

There were tears coming out of his eyes and said, "I wish I knew, Musaki. I think because of some things I said to him."

"What were they?" asked Kaguya.

"I wish you weren't my father anymore."

Po gasped and said, "Harsh."

"I know and that was months before he passed. I never saw him after that. Since he died, there's nothing I could do to take it back. I'm always afraid that he'll never forgive me for what I said."

"How do you know that?" asked Ichi.

"I don't know. I'm just afraid he won't."

Ichi sighed and told him, "You can still forgive him."

"But how, Ichi? How could I forgive him? How could I forgive him after all that he put us through? How could I forgive him after everything I said to him? How?"

"Just find it in your heart to forgive your father and maybe someday, he'll forgive you."

"Still, how, though?"

"Just talk to him up in the sky. Maybe he can hear your cry."

Shifu seemed skeptical about that, but he knows that Ichi said those things, because he taught him how to. He sighed and asked, "Who taught you something like that?"

"You did."

The thought of it made Shifu's eyes water and he reached in to Ichi and gave him a hug. He whispered, "Thank you. I'll try."

"I hope you will."

"That was brutal, that story." said Viper.

"But, it's very sad." Tigress said.

"You should be appreciative for what you have and if you can't, then there's nothing you can do to change that." Mantis said.

All jaws dropped down and they couldn't believe what Mantis just said. Shifu said, "Did you actually learn something from me?"

"Yes, unfortunately."

"True."

Jo was the only one that didn't speak up and Po noticed him looking at the stars by himself and said, "Hey, Jo!"

Jo turned around and said, "What's up?"

"How about you? Do you have a Christmas story?"

"I never celebrated Christmas before." Jo said.

"Do tell us your story."

Jo walked in, sat down next to everyone and said, "After hearing you guys' stories, I kinda thought about those memories that are kinda...not like every on else's. I lived without parents, because they were arrested and in a short amount of time, I had very depressing Christmas memories. I can't even remember my first Christmas, because it was so long ago. So, I lost my christmas memory and never regained it back ever since. It's just like Musaki said, this is my first christmas and I've never celebrated it with anyone and when I came back here with you guys, it just felt like it's gonna be an awesome Christmas for me."

"That's sweet, Jo." Po said.

"Your parents were arrested?" asked Kaguya.

"Yep."

"How?" asked Ichi.

"I think I might tell you about that later."

"That bad, right?"

"Worse."

"Okay, thank you, Jo. And thank you all for sharing these wonderful stories with me." Shifu said.

"You're welcome, master."

"I hope you all know that Christmas comes from the heart...from all of you and every year, my only gift is you all."

"Thank you, master."


Stories from their hearts...and funny bones. Stay tuned for more!