Chapter 3: Fun In A Winter Wonderland
So while Rebecca and her three friends were well on their way to Charlie Brown's side of Sparkyville thanks to their sleds,Charlie Brown himself was busy getting himself ready for the day in his bedroom. He was honestly in quite the cheerful and optimistic mood which could be considered odd for him,but considering all the things that had been happening in his life for the year such as bringing Rebecca home to Sparkyville as well as this Christmas season looking like it was gonna be a good time for all,there really was no reason for him to be the way he typically was.
Like mentioned before Charlie Brown was getting ready to go outside in front of a mirror on the back of his bedroom door and he was wearing a red jacket underneath his traditional attire along with a fluffy brown hat before he looked out his window and up at the bright yellow morning sky and quietly said to himself "Christmastime is here yet again Charles,I know you were a little down and gloomy on the whole concept the last couple years,with your job of taking care of the Christmas pageant really not helping things until later that night,but now I think is the time for you to sit back,relax and have yourself a nice Christmas for once. Rebecca is here,there's a chance that maybe Ed will stop on by,and there's also Rebecca's birthday party in a couple days. This is gonna be a good winter Charles. Just go with whatever comes your way and things will work out,I know it."
Afterwards he made his way out of his bedroom and decided to walk around his house for a short while,all the while he was thinking about how this winter season would likely be the best one in years.
A boy looks up and sees a golden gift of chance.
To prove his worth and make the best of what might seem a dire circumstance.
Onward and onward the slow and steady climb.
Task upon task that can lift him to the summit over time.
You've got to take whatever roads at your feet,you've got to make whatever progress you can,although the map you hold is far from complete,you've got to take whatever roads at your feet.
Meanwhile out in Charlie Brown's backyard on top of a bright red doghouse,there was an exceptionally large and lumpy pile of snow on the very top of it as what appeared to be two canaries flew on down on top of it. One of them was bright yellow and the other one was light blue instead with a red bow on the top of its head. Woodstock and Amy were probably the most unexpected couple in Sparkyville's history because of the fact that one of Woodstock's friends was always saying that he needed a girlfriend,yet he never actually sought one out for any reason. It was only by complete accident that he ended up falling in love with Rebecca's bird friend Amy when he first saw her,same for her as well for falling in love with him despite her generally being cautious around strangers.
It seemed that Amy and Woodstock were looking for someone as they both walked around the huge pile of snow and called out to them in confusion before something shot wide awake from under them and sat up,causing the two birds to instead be perched on the top of its head. Snoopy was always one to enjoy Wintertime along with the rest of the gang,especially when they would go out to the frozen pond and either skate or play a friendly game of hockey,but that didn't mean he wouldn't get annoyed whenever he was buried by snow that would fall throughout the night.
"Hey!" The three animals happily greeted each other in unison when they finally noticed one another as they all came together for a friendly hug before Charlie Brown suddenly walked up to them and calmly stated "Hey you three,we're gonna be going out to the pond,if you wanna come along then you can. I suggest you three get yourselves ready." to which the three of them cheered in excitement and began jumping up and dancing in the air. Charlie Brown rolled his eyes and quietly mumbled to himself as he begun to make his way out of the backyard "I think Amy's been around those two for too long." before he suddenly felt something jump on his left shoulder to which he looked over to the left to see none other than Rebecca's toad friend Jasper.
Ever since Rebecca had moved over across the town,Jasper sort of became an unofficial second pet of Charlie Brown's because he always seemed to stick around in his room and generally around his house. Maybe it was so he could stay close to Amy who was literally in the backyard 90% of the time,or maybe it was because he had taken a liking to this part of the neighborhood for the small amount of time he was there. Charlie Brown as a result had been doing the bare minimum to provide for him which included getting him a small glass container that he set on his bedroom desk which included a small door on the bottom for the toad to get through whenever he wanted to go in or out. When it came to food however,that was an area where no help from Charlie Brown was even required since he mainly just ate the local bugs in the neighborhood,and it was pretty safe to say that he was a good tool for taking out house flies and the like.
"Oh,hi there Jasper I didn't see you there." Charlie Brown greeted the toad out of a slight sense of surprise as the toad merely croaked in a deep sounding tone before the boy suddenly heard the loud calling of his friends from the front yard "COME ON CHARLIE BROWN!" to which he hurried on back through the house and frantically told himself "That's my cue."
"Morning everyone." Charlie Brown cheerfully greeted everyone as he opened up his front door to be met with the sight of Lucy,Linus,Scheroder,Violet,Patty Swanson,Pig-Pen,Freida,Shermy and Scheroder all in their snow gear and with their skating shoes in their hands. The only ones who seemed to be absent were Peppermint Patty,Marcie,Franklin and Rebecca,but considering that they lived on the other side of town,it was really no big deal and even kind of expected.
"What no kite this time? I was expecting you to try out one of your little stunts." Violet mockingly brought up the fact that Charlie Brown didn't have a kite in his hand this time as the boy rolled his eyes and calmly explained himself "Well the last time I tried to fly a kite in winter,I got stuck to the kite eating tree." before Sally suddenly joined in the conversation while she walked outside the house with her snow gear "Yeah and we had to call the fire department to get you down big brother."
"I really didn't need to be reminded of that Sally." Charlie Brown groaned and retorted with a shudder as Snoopy came skipping on out through the front door with a bright red scarf and joined them along with Amy and Woodstock on his head,who both wore tiny little red scarfs of their own to which Linus sighed and remarked "Well I guess that's almost everyone. All we're missing are-"
"Woah!" The voice of Peppermint Patty suddenly interrupted in a joyful panic before she,Franklin,Marcie and Rebecca came sliding by on their sleds and used their feet to come to a screeching halt,which ultimately resulted in them covering everyone else in a body armor of snow due to where they were as the tomboy laughed and cheerfully greeted them while she got off her sled "And that's how you make an entrance with style. Morning everyone!"
"Good morning you three,we were wondering when you were gonna show up." Charlie Brown nonchalantly greeted the three of them back as he and the others shook the snow off their bodies before Lucy asked with a hint of annoyance in her voice "Did y'all have to show off like that? I don't think even Snoopy would go to that extreme." to which the dog got an evil smile on his face and thought to himself while he shook the snow off him"Oh really? Is that a challenge then?"
"Sorry about that everyone. It was just faster to get here this way,and also a lot more fun." Rebecca chuckled and apologized for making a mess of snow on everyone as Marcie calmly added with a surprising hint of cynicism "And also a way for us to save money from having to take the bus." before Freida merely brushed the mess aside and replied "Hey it's no big deal,the whole state's practically covered in snow. A little snow on us ain't hurt no one."
"I could say the same about a little bit of dust too." Pig-Pen joined in on the conversation and made a similar comment about his dust cloud as Scheroder nodded his head and added "And a little bit of music never hurt anyone either." before Sally suddenly got up next to Linus and swooned in a very affectionate tone of voice "And a little love never hurt anyone too." to which the boy gagged,got bright red in the face and covered himself up with his blanket.
"So are we just listing random things that we all find harmless now?" Franklin asked out of a slight hint of confusion that everyone was just suddenly justifying common,everyday things as Shermy added equally as confused "Yeah I really don't see the point of doing that unless you're trying to hammer something in." before Charlie Brown rolled his eyes and suggested to the group "Alright everyone,it's a nice clear morning,it's only 8:00,so let's get out there and have some fun!" to which everyone cheered in excitement and they ran towards the frozen pond,which was already packed to the brim with other kids in the neighborhood.
Charlie Brown and Rebecca however merely decided to take it slow and just walk over to the pond as the boy asked out of curiosity "So,you think you've finally gotten used to it all yet? It has been 5 months since you moved here." to which the girl sighed and retorted "I'm getting a little better,I still have to keep reminding myself that I'm living here now whenever I wake up in the morning. It's so bizarre." before Charlie Brown grew a slight look of concern on his face and timidly asked "You know you can always go to Lucy if you need someone to talk to about it. Yeah she's not the best when it comes to giving advice,but sometimes she can really knock it out of the park."
"Maybe one day I'll give it a try. I just don't think I need to rush the settling down process,but I sure would like it to move on already." Rebecca shrugged her arms and calmly retorted as Charlie Brown got a little bit of a smile and tried to lighten up her mood "Well,I just hope your first Christmas here will be worthwhile,as well as your birthday coming up." to which Rebecca suddenly raised an eyebrow and asked out of curiosity "You know speaking of which,are you planning any big surprises? Because if you are,you can just tell me."
It was then and there that Charlie Brown started to feel his stomach churn and his forehead start to slightly sweat because he was indeed planning a surprise party for Rebecca at his house,and he certainty didn't want her to know about as he nervously gulped and made up a lie "What? No I'm not. No surprises from me." However Rebecca was still a little suspicious that he might have been planning something but she merely decided to go along with he tlie and stated with a convincing smile "Alright then,keep your secrets."
"Did you just take that like from Frodo?" Charlie Brown softly gasped and asked out of shock when he could have sworn that she just quoted Frodo from Lord Of The Rings as Rebecca merely placed her hands behind her head and retorted "Maybe I did,maybe I didn't." before Charlie Brown sighed and stated "You know,the more I talk to you,the more glad I am that you came here. Come on let's get to that pond." to which Rebecca happily nodded her head and obliged "You said it. It's about time I test out this sled on some ice."
There's nothing complicated about the way we live.
We're all here for each other,happy to give.
Proud of who we are,humble beneath the stars.
We have everything we need,the moon,the sun.
There is more than enough here,for everyone.
All we have we share,and all of us we care. So come on.
Soon Rebecca and Charlie Brown had finally made it to the top of the hill where the crowded frozen pond was waiting down below as they both quickly ran down and joined their freinds down below.
Welcome to our family time.
Welcome to our brotherly time.
We're happy,givin' and takin' to the friends we're makin',there's nothing we won't do.
Welcome to our family time.
Welcome to our happy to be time.
This is our festival you know and best of all,we're here to share it all.
There's a bond between us nobody can explain.
It's a celebration of life,and seeing friends again.
I'd be there for you,I know you'd be there for me too. So come on.
Welcome to our family time.
Welcome to our brotherly time.
This is our festival you know and best of all,we're here to share it all.
Remember you're loved ones departed,someone deep in your heart.
Finding love,planning a future,telling stories and laughing with friends,precious moments you'll never forget.
However it was then and there that Charlie Brown suddenly got a special idea in mind for him and Rebecca in particular as he asked Linus for him to borrow his blanket,and he ended up tossing it above on one of the kite eating tree's branches and took him and Rebecca up it like a rope. It turned out that the morning sunlight was causing all of the broken and chewed up kites to glow brightly like crystals,and both of them were left in absolute awe at the sight while Charlie Brown continued to hold the end of the blanket and Rebecca's hand.
This has to be the most beautiful,the most peaceful place,I've ever been to,it's nothing like I've ever seen before.
When I think how far I've come I can't believe it,and yet I see it,and then I see family,I see the way we used to be. Come on.
Suddenly Charlie Brown's and Rebecca's moment would be quickly cut off when they felt a tight tug come from the other end of the blanket,and it was actually due to Snoopy grabbing it with his teeth as he dragged the two of them out of the tree and soon everyone else in the gang across the pond while he ran on all fours.
Welcome to our family time.
Welcome to our brotherly time.
We're happy,givin' and takin' to the friends we're makin',there's nothing we won't do.
Welcome to our family time.
Welcome to our happy to be time.
This is our festival you know and best of all,we're here to share it,we're here to share it all!
"Whatever Roads At Your Feet." Copyright Of Dreamworks Pictures.
"Welcome Phil Collins Version." Copyright Of Walt Disney Records.
