by Julene Hunter

One Christmaslong ago...

In the Prefect of Perfectlived many fine folk

who made “A Most Special Something”and that is no joke.

For months every year

the town toiled over pies.They were perfectly perfect

in shape, taste and size.

And for months before Christmasthe towns’ only sport

was making the tastiest Christmas-time torte.

In fact, so important

was this Christmas time faire,it took 12 months of the year

to fret and prepare.

Was it fun? Were they happy?What nonsense indeed.I have told you, no joke,the Torte’s were decreed.

In fact in small Perfect,

it was REQUIRED to bake.No defect was tolerated.

Not even one small mistake.

The Mayor, The Judge, and The Chief of Police

enforced the great bakingto keep Perfect at peace.

“ Idle hands are the devil’s

playground!” He cried.“We know” droaned the townsfolk

“We’re baking…” they sighed.

“We must be ready! No torte must be late!”

And they baked and they baked to get Torte’s to the plate.

And when they had finished,Tortes were set out on trays

in perfect straight rowsas far as one gazed.

While waiting for morningto share the fine meal

they awoke to some newsand a startling squeal.

For there in a dish

that had once held a torte,sat a small big eyed creature -

round, fat and short.

“Oh my stomach,” it groaned, “I’m a silly old thing!I ate too much torte

for a small Christmas Ping.”

“A Ping?” they all quizzled, of that they’d not heard.

“NO such thing! That’s impossible!” The Mayor assured.

“Oh no, I am not,

and a Ping’s great to be!and if Ping’s were impossible,

then explain Me to me!”

“Well, you Think you exist!But there’s no proof to say,

there’s such a thing as a Ping!”The crowd gasped in dismay.

For the double-talk proved

one most obvious thing,that the Mayor knew nothing,

a Ping was a Ping.

“You’re under arrest!”bellowed the Mayor and Chief.

“You stole Christmas Torte. You’re a torte snitching thief!”

“Oh please!” moaned the Ping“I know I ate quite a lot.

which a small Ping, one of my size,should not!

But if we Pings don’t hurry,

then Christmas I fear,will be lacking that merry,

Christmassy cheer!”

“More Pings?” cried the people.“More Pings can be found?”

“Oh yes!” said the small ping,as 12 more gathered round.

And as everyone witnessed

a remarkable thingthere stood in the round,

13 Christmas Pings.

“We’re here now,” said the small one“To spread Christmas Cheer all today.

But we have to get going.We can’t afford another delay!”

And every Prefector in Perfect then listened with careto learn what the Pings

had to do with them there.

With a jingle and sparkle,smile brighter than sun,

each Ping turned in unisonand then became One.

One glowing circle that grew in its light

spinning above them,shining so bright.

As each townsperson watched,their eyes growing wide,

the magic grew brighterand like a wave in a tide,

the dust and the sparkle

washed over them alland the warmth was now felt

from the magic free fall.

And the whole Prefect was smiling, and dancing with glee.

They were hugging and cryingand as free as can be!

And as the dust settled -a most beautiful thing -the sparkle regathered

into 13 Christmas Pings.

“Well, we’ve done it” they sang“spreading Christmassy Cheer!

And Christmas will never be the same here.”

And above giggles and laughter

all the bells in town rang.Christmas Cheer was now Perfect.

“Thank you!” they sang.

And never againdid they work through the year

to make Christmas Torte’s perfectit became perfectly clear

that Christmas was not about anything Perfect.

Not about baking,or being correct.

Not about toilingfor months to prepare,

but to enjoy friends and neighbors,to show them you care.

From that moment to nowmaking tortes was a gift.Folks made them with love and that one simple shift,

changed the Prefect of Perfect -

forever - for good.And the Pings travelled on to the next neighborhood.

Now knowing the secretthat you have just read,keep it close to your heartso cheer can be spread.

Knowing, when you awake

on that new Christmas Daywith a tingle and smile,

Pings brought some magic your way.

Give thanks for your blessings,and gather your cheer,

because now You may spread itthroughout the whole year.