Children's book
A chapter from the book
Stop 1: Germany – The Land of Nutcrackers
Molly saw the soft glow of a lantern swaying outside a
charming stone cottage, so she went towards it. As the wooden door creaked
open, a wave of warmth embraced her, carrying the sweet aroma of cinnamon and
baked apples.
Standing before her was Liesel, a cheerful girl her age, her
golden braids neatly tied with red ribbons. Her eyes sparkled with excitement
as she stepped forward, a welcoming smile on her face.
"Hi! My name is Liesel! Come inside, I want to show you
something special!"
The cozy interior glowed with candlelight, casting
flickering shadows on the rustic wooden walls. Liesel lead Molly to a wooden
cabinet filled with beautifully crafted nutcrackers—each one unique, with
intricate details and colorful uniforms.
"These nutcrackers aren’t just decorations,"
Liesel explained. “They’re symbols of
good luck, protecting homes and bringing happiness during Christmas."
Molly listened in awe as Liesel explained the meaning of the
little wooden figures. She ran her fingers over the smooth wood of a majestic
nutcracker soldier, imagining it springing to life, its painted eyes twinkling
as it stood guard over a grand holiday feast.
She could almost hear the sound of festive music and the
laughter of children as the nutcracker protected the home, just as Liesel had
described.
The girls happily joined Liesel’s family for a joyful
holiday meal. Molly tried a yummy, spicy fruit cake called stollen, covered
with soft powdered sugar. The sweet, warm flavor made her feel cozy and happy,
like she was part of something magical. Just as the meal was ending, Liesel
kindly gave Molly a little nutcracker dressed in a bright red uniform.
.“Take this with you,” Liesel said with a gentle smile. “So
you’ll always remember the special Christmas magic in Germany.”
Molly carefully hugged the nutcracker against her chest. Its
smooth wooden surface was cool and comforting in her hands. A warm feeling grew
inside her, making her happy — she realized she had discovered something really
wonderful about Christmas in Germany, and she knew she would hold onto this
memory forever.
Just as Molly was thanking Liesel and her family for a truly
wonderful evening, she wondered where her journey would take her next.
Suddenly, a cheerful, familiar sound rang out, and Molly
heard Jingle’s voice. "Are you ready for your next adventure?" he
asked, his tone brimming with enthusiasm.
Molly’s face lit up with a big grin. She couldn’t wait to
discover what kind of Christmas magic awaited her on her next fantastic
journey!