username and ID; emgeal 761
name of kel; Dynamo
link to event MYO; Clickanswer to prompt; Christmas, Dynamo scowled out across the snowy hills for a moment before turning his attention back to the pups playing in the snow. Making snow
angels they said showing how their scales made patterns like wings where their shoulders were in the snow. This nonsense was all because of the new pack in the valley, each day it felt like the pups played with their friends and came back with more things that 'had to be done'.
At first Dynamo hadn't been very bothered, his pups wanted a tree like their friends, so of course he found one and dragged it back. Then the tree had to have decorations. Then there had to be presents under the tree, and stockings, and specific candies, and.and.and.and., and,... and the list ever seemed to end. Last year had been
normal they'd set up a bonfire and shared food and stories from the year, just like they did every year to celebrate shortest days of the year. That had been his plan for this year, until his pups looked up with glistening eyes asking for these new things.
It hadn't even bothered him much initially until he started hearing about this
holy day. He didn't begrudge their beliefs, but Dynamo disliked how quickly his pups were being drawn in with treats and presents and shiny ornaments on trees. They seemed so much more excited about these new things then about any of their normal activities.
With a sigh Dynamo barked 'No more goofing off. You know you need to start finding a log to carve.' The typical whining of pups ensued, but Dynamo eventually got them all back on their feet and searching for a good log.
As they whirled around a bend in the path the pups from the other pack came into view. They sat shaping the snow into snow-dogs and Dynamo could already hear his pups asking to go play. 'Once each of you find a log you can go play.' He established firmly.
His pups rushed over to the others to let them know they'd be joining soon in the merriment.
'Why would you need to find logs?' One asked tilting their head quizzically.
'Well you have to carve your wishes into them before the bonfire and you want to make sure you have time for it to dry!'
Good pup Dynamo thought approvingly.
'Can we carve a log? I've never carved anything before? Do you get to use a knife?'
'Well, not really, I guess it's sharp on one side, but it's curved away. I'm not sure how to explain it. But I'm sure you can carve one!.... DAD!'
'They can pick out a log and bring it in to dry, but they need to get their parents permission to do any carving. It's easier to carve the wood when it's dried a bit anyway.' Dynamo said, noticing something odd. The sparkle he had been noticing in his pup's eyes before seemed to have teleported to the other pack. He walked with them as both groups of pups searched for logs listening to his pups explain how they always had stuffed rolls when they were carving and a spiced apple drink, and how their grandmother always helped them with the tough details on the carving. He had practically had to drag them out here to start looking for logs, but now the excitement rolled off them.
Sharing Dynamo realized, was what had his pups in such a tizzy this year. Sharing traditions with their friends. After all that's what the end of the year was about. Sharing stories, and food, and the company of others. Celebrating what was and looking forward to what will be in the next year, that was what was important.
To this very day Dynamo has made sure to invite newcomers to share their winter traditions and has likewise shared his family's, and every Christmas they put up a tree, with help from their neighbors.
((Message me if this touches too much on the 'religion' part. Or portrays it too negatively for CS. It's supposed to be more about the general concept of learning about other cultures while at the same time being specific to Christmas per the prompt.))
