Many Wishes of a

Happy and Healthy New Year

to all partners, Teachers and Students, of the Erasmus project "Shall We Play a Game?"

from the

Italian Team

Preview audio:

storyj.mp/adn3994v4uj

It all took place many years ago on Christmas Eve. That year it snowed a lot and the only way to heat the house was to use firewood in the fireplace...

The legend of the Christmas tree tells the story of a child, the son of peasants, who lived in a country village near a large forest. Immediately after having lunch, the child decided to go out to go into the woods: he wanted to look for an oak log to burn in the fireplace on the night of Christmas Eve to respect one of the ancient traditions of his village.

Unfortunately, as you well know, the days in winter are shorter and the hours of daylight are very short. Although the child knew that wood like the back of his hand, when the night came he was lost.

There was nothing left for the boy to do but seek shelter to spend the night as his parents had always told him. Walking slowly among the bare trees illuminated by the dim light of the moon, he tried to find a suitable place for him but it was not at all easy: there were no caves or huts around them; only trees.

As he walked, flakes of white and icy snow began to fall from the sky making his search even more difficult. Warm tears began to wet his face at the thought of all that was being lost: dinner, gifts, the affection of his parents ...

Tired and hungry, he came across a beautiful fir tree: one of the few trees that remained green despite the winter. Wiping away his tears, he walked there seeking refuge near its fragrant trunk. Lulled by the sounds of the woods and tight in his coat, he crouched at her feet and fell asleep.
The fir, which silently witnessed the whole scene, moved by that little creature that had taken refuge right under its foliage, decided to lower its branches making them almost touch the ground in order to hug it and protect it from the snow.

On Christmas day, the child was awakened by the shouting of the villagers who had come into the woods to look for him. He ran to meet him and took them to the place where he had spent the night: the branches of the fir were still facing the ground and the villagers soon understood what had happened. To thank the fir for that gesture of generosity, they decided to decorate it with what they had: scarves, hats, and gloves ... which over time became garlands and Christmas balls.

From that day on, according to the legend of the Christmas tree, the fir was considered one of the symbols of Christmas and therefore decorated.

The End