The Pear That Snickered — Every day, Rilla hopped along the winter orchard arch and tapped each pear with her beak: tap, tap, no trouble. Read the full story →
Every day, Rilla hopped along the winter orchard arch and tapped each pear with her beak: tap, tap, no trouble. She wanted to be the youngest partridge trusted with the Christmas branch, but whenever the older birds flew past, her peep shrank to a squeak. The arch smelled of cold bark and ribbon glue, and the plaid bows tickled her tail.
Until one day, the plainest pear answered her tap with a snicker. Because of that, Rilla poked it again, and a shower of silver jingle seeds rattled inside like tiny spoons in a cup. Because of THAT, the whole arch began chiming before the carol parade arrived, and three squirrels popped out from the leaves wearing berry hats.
Rilla’s knees wobbled on the branch. Then she puffed up her speckled chest and called, “Parade starts early!” The squirrels froze, the bells rang on purpose, and every bird followed her bright, bossy peep. Next time you spot the quietest pear under the bows, listen for Rilla’s tap, tap, no trouble.
