Gifts Throughout the Year
By Irish Monahan
Based on the story "Twelve In The Mail-Coach"
By Hans Christian Anderson
Twelve Lords and Ladies came calling on the eve of Old Year, hoping to pass along gifts of good tidings as the present became the past. They rode in grand chariots drawn by the finest horses ever seen. Each horse wore upon its silvery coat jewels and silken ropes of gold. Moonlight shimmered and pranced upon their backs as they raced toward their destination, a place that only time could see and one that would disappear as soon as they arrived. For New Year, as everyone already knows, never hung around long, but rather flitted from place to place in a hurried dash-eager to make every party of the night no matter where in the world it was.
As the Lords and Ladies had learned, it was best to arrive before the end of Old Year in order to glimpse the glory of the new one. Besides, they felt it good manners to say goodbye to Old Year and pay him their last respects. It was, after all, the only courteous thing to do.
They stopped for a rest at a well known town, not far from where you live, to check into their palace suites for the night. Now, everywhere they looked, people danced in the streets, shouting cheer to one another and blowing on paper horns. Streams of paper confetti rained from above in a storm that only happens when Old Year and New Year pass each other.
Hurriedly, passports were exchanged with the proper promises of gifts to follow in a special order as was the custom. The clerk at the palace called for the butler, for he was unsure of just what to do and the Lords and Ladies were in such a rush to be through.
The first to descend her chariot was the Lady Janu Ary. She courtsied low and frost twinkled in her snowy hair. Laughter fell in shimmering icicles as she read from a list her gifts to come. To her left stood a jolly sprite that she said would entertain the children on long, cold nights. His name was Jack Frost and she promised he’d be a delight.
Her brother, Lord Febru Ary, rushed past her after she’d checked in. He could hardly wait for the party to begin. "You see," he explained in gushing breaths, "I haven’t long to enjoy this—there’s no time to stop and rest. I’ve only 28 days to make my mark upon the world. I travel with a friend-Cupid is his name. Love of life and laughter we’ll share with you if you’ll just hurry up and let us on through."
The butler gave a tiny smile and made a royal bow. He let Lord Febru Ary past without further ado, knowing what the frail little Lord had said was true. Before he could stand up again, he felt a tap on his shoulder. He started just a tiny bit but did not give a shudder. As his eyes rose up to meet the one who wanted his attention, he glanced upon a lovely lady who wore a a dress of forest green. Her eyes shone with merriment and he knew the interruption she did not mean.
“Pardon me, Dear Sir, I must have missed my step.” Her face blushed just slightly and she sighed in her distress. “ It’s hard, you know, when with a lion you travel. But I am afraid my nerves otherwise he’ll unravel. I need to find a place to sit for a spell, kind Sir, if you do not mind.”
“Of course, of course!” The butler said, his smile unpretentious. “Lady March, please have a seat in the parlor and a maid to you will see. As for your lovely kitty cat, perhaps he should come with me.”
The butler put a hold on things and took the cat away. He didn’t think a lion inside the palace should stay. He pulled and begged and finally got the big cat to agree. He placed the lion near a stack of steaks under an old pine tree.
Upon the butler’s hasty return a juggler did appear. He wore a grin from ear to ear as he tossed his wares into the air with gaiety.
“Lord Ap Ril at your service, Sir, “ Said the merry man. “I’m the best court jester in all of the land. My tricks are celebrated that for my gift I’ll give a very funny party in the month I live. Any fool who wishes can come and play along. I promise every type and sort of dance and song.”
The butler’s blue eyes twinkled as he bowed to the happy Lord. “ I have a feeling with your gift no one will be bored.”
Lord Ap Ril smiled and let out a gleeful sound. “Boredom isn’t possible when a Fool is around. If the young are so inclined, pranks they can pull. But they should remember a prank is only nice when played on good advice. No harm should come with my gift for that really isn’t fun and my party should be enjoyed by everyone.”
Lady May swished her skirts to hurry things along. She didn’t think they had time to waste with dance and song. She wished to see her rooms, she said. Her hair she needed to comb. The rain from Lord Ap Ril’s boasting had her flowers in full bloom. Her dress because of him, she said was quite a mess.
The butler quickly took her hand and led her to her suites. Lady May courtsied then and and granted him a kiss. Her laughter tinkled lightly as she watched his obvious bliss. So enchanted was he, the butler missed his step and landed with a thundering thud at the bottom of the stairs in a patch of mud.
After he recovered, Lady June held out her hand. She wore a dress of wedding white and a crown of daisies. The scent of a warming summer sun flowed from her fiery hair. In her hand she offered up a pail of summer’s sand, promising her gift to be the best in all the land. Beach parties she proclaimed would end lazy summer days. She even said that she would give to skin a golden tan.
Lady Ju Ly pushed Lady June out of her way. She didn’t want to hear about a not hot summer day. For in her palm she held the core of Summer’s sun. June, she said, didn’t know the first thing about fun.
“Now my gift is more than hers, this much you know is true. For what other month to you can give freedom in firework hues?” Ju Ly pouted with crossed arms when the butler looked annoyed. He understood her feelings, but her outburst was not enjoyed.
“Lady Ju Ly, I must address the manner in which you spoke. All your gifts are treasured and looked forward to with cheer.” The butler gave a stern look then helped her on her way.
Next in line stood Lord Aug Ust with hoe and wheel barrow in hand. He valued his position as the best harvester in the land. He spoke of agriculture and the need to grow naturally and showed his bounty to everyone who wished to see. Pictures of fruits and vegetables poured forth from his coat pocket. A cup of cider he shared with all from his magic locket.
The butler sipped his cider and sighed quite heavily. Lord August took a stride beyond the distant doorway, declaring that he’d decided to go outside and stay.
Lord Sept Ember stepped up next with his paints in hand. “When my time to give my gift finally comes around, I promise I will paint you a most colorful sky and ground. The leaves under my brush shall turn golden, red and brown. The vibrance of my colors will make the heart feel glad for they are the very best of colors to be had.”
The butler smiled and nodded, knowing it was true. Lord Sept Ember the perfect color always knew.
Lord Oct Ober met the butler when he turned around. He held a jack-o-lantern and a bag of sweet candy. The butler ushered him right in, smiling all the while. Halloween, it seemed to him, was the best day of the year and he couldn’t wait for a spooky story to hear. He wondered if Lord Oct Ober would oblige him with an early tale, but he forgot to ask when Lord Nov Ember tripped and fell.
The butler pulled the robust Lord up and asked after his condition. Lord Nov Ember sniffed a bit and said “Where is the kitchen? A feast of turkey I’ll prepare after a night of hunting. Together with the harvest from Lord Aug Ust’s stores, I’ll ensure there’s nothing that you could be left wanting.”
The butler showed the Lord where it was he wanted. When he returned, Lord Dec Ember let out a belly laugh. He shook with glee and merrily inquired of the butler’s night.
“No one. Lord, has asked before as to just how I’m feeling.”
“Well, now, hear here a gift to you I bring. You have remained good and true through this nonsense game. No other month has thought of you for they are all quite selfish. I, instead, love to fill the dreams you dream when whispered on your wishes. But I do not reward those acts deemed as misbehavior.”
The butler smiled and thought of Lady Ju Ly. He quickly showed Lord Dec Ember to his room and inquired after him if Santa he’d see soon.
Lord Dec Ember’s answer never reached his ears, for New Year arrived with an abundance of cheers. All the Lords and Ladies gathered round him as he sang, proclaiming resolutions, prosperity and fame. No one noticed Old Year gather up his bags to leave. He waved a hand behind him as he stumbled in his rags. He knew his time was over, but as he walked away, he hoped New Year remembered what had occurred today. He whispered once into the wind, though he knew no one would hear:
“May New Year bring you happiness, love, and good cheer.”
