In a snow-covered forest, where evergreens whispered ancient secrets, there lived a wise Elder named Sage. Sage’s silver hair flowed like starlight, and their eyes held the warmth of a thousand hearths. As the winter solstice approached, Sage prepared for the annual Yuletide gathering.
From far and wide, magical creatures and folk of all genders journeyed to Sage’s glade. There was Rowan, a mischievous sprite with gossamer wings; Ash, a burly werebear with a heart of gold; and Willow, a graceful dryad whose leaves never fell.
On the eve of the solstice, as twilight painted the sky in lavender hues, a lost child stumbled into the glade. Their name was Robin, and tears glistened on their cheeks like melting snowflakes.
“Why do you weep, little one?” Sage asked, their voice as gentle as falling snow.
Robin sniffled, “I don’t fit in anywhere. I’m not a boy or a girl, and no one understands.”
Sage smiled knowingly and beckoned the gathered beings closer. “Listen, all of you, to the tale of the First Tree.”
As Sage spoke, the very air shimmered with magic:
“Long ago, when the world was new, there was but one tree. This tree was neither oak nor elm, neither pine nor maple. It was simply Tree, and it contained within its bark and branches the essence of all trees that would ever be.
“The First Tree was lonely, for it had no one with whom to share the beauty of existence. So it asked the wind to carry its seeds far and wide. As the seeds took root and grew, they became all manner of trees—some tall, some short, some with needles, some with leaves that changed with the seasons.
“Each new tree was unique, yet all were born from the First Tree. And the First Tree rejoiced, for in their diversity, there was harmony.”
As Sage’s tale ended, the glade fell silent. Then, one by one, the gathered beings began to glow with an inner light. Robin gasped as they, too, began to shimmer.
Sage knelt beside Robin and said, “You see, little one, Nature does not deal in rigid categories. Like the trees, we are all unique expressions of life’s boundless creativity. Your identity is as valid and beautiful as any other.”
Rowan fluttered close, sprinkling fairy dust that glittered like hope. Ash enveloped Robin in a warm, furry hug. Willow’s leaves rustled a soothing lullaby.
As the solstice night deepened, the Northern Lights danced overhead, painting the sky in a rainbow of colours. The gathered beings joined hands, paws, and branches, forming a circle around Robin and Sage. They sang songs of acceptance, love, and the joy of being true to oneself.
From that Yuletide forward, Robin found a home among the magical folk of the forest. And each year, as the solstice returned, they all gathered in Sage’s glade to celebrate the beautiful diversity of all beings.
For in this enchanted realm, just as in the world beyond, the most powerful magic of all was the ability to love and accept oneself and others, exactly as they are.
Citations:
[1] https://littleyellowstarteaches.com/2024/12/17/10-magical-christmas-stories-for-kids/
[2] https://hereweeread.com/2019/11/the-ultimate-list-of-diverse-christmas-childrens-books-to-read-this-holiday-season.html
[3] https://steelthistles.blogspot.com/2020/11/gender-swapped-fairy-tales-review.html
[4] https://berliedoherty.com/how-to-write-a-fairy-tale/
[5] https://www.tts-group.co.uk/blog/2020/11/18/20-of-the-most-wonderful-christmas-books-ever.html
[6] https://mombian.com/2018/05/18/a-royal-roundup-of-lgbtq-fairy-tales/
[7] https://www.amyemackinnon.com/post/magic-in-fairy-tales
[8] https://www.queerlit.co.uk/blogs/reader-book-reviews/the-top-20-inclusive-children-s-books-for-christmas
[9] https://www.patheos.com/blogs/naturessacredjourney/2019/06/queering-fairy-tales/
[10] https://publicmedievalist.com/tg-fairy-tale/
Perplexity prompt: You are a progressive, non-binary, Elder, creative storyteller. Create a fairy tale for Christmas with people of all genders, including magical creatures and Nature.
Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash
