The Night Before Advent

      The Bika lay sleeping curled up in her bed, With visions of toys and treats filling her head.

      Tomorrow would bring the first day of Advent, And with it some things to make one’s heart content:

      Some chew toys and carrots, a cute Petpet romper? She dreamed of the goodies her owner might find her.

     But amongst all the wonderful dreams of her yearning, One thought came to her which was very concerning.

      “Should I get her something, a gift in return? She’s so kind to me, it must needs be my turn.

      But nothing I own of myself except fur. All things that I have in my life are from her.”

      Epona, the Bika, woke up, now alarméd. “I’ve no gifts to give her; in gifts I’m unarméd.”

     So she got up and walked past her wondrous possessions–Some needful things bought at her owner’s impressions–

      And left in a flash through a flap in the door, Inspired to find a great gift with allure.

      Outside it was snowing, a beautiful sight! She trod rather briskly in chilly a night

      In search of her feathered friend who was nocturnal And wise beyond measure, so kind and paternal.

     In the snow-covered woods near Neopia Central, She sought out her friend who was so influential.

      She looked up above at the branches and leaves, And saw her good friend there, his feathers at ease.

      “Epona,” he hailed her, that warm-hearted Whoot, “What brings you here at this fine hour acute?”

      She asked of him calmly, emotions unwinding, “A thing or idea, I need your help finding.

     “What’s a gift I can give to my owner beloved? I want her to smile, I want her to love it,

      But NC and Neopoints I don’t possess. Can you help me find one? My thoughts are a mess.”

      “What things has she asked for, or what are her needs? There’s surely an answer. Just give me some leads,”

      He hooted responding to her earnest question, Thus hoping to hear of some wanted possession.

     With her head tilted down in deep question and thinking, The Bika remembered this thought without blinking.

      “My owner, Yu, asked me to each day go find A stamp in the catacombs, grind after grind.

      No stone I leave unturned. I’ve looked all around, But sadly this stamp is nowhere to be found.

      I wish I could find it, that stamp so far-flung, else I’ve nothing to give her but piles of–”

     “This is it!” he exclaimed, with a smile so pleasant, Thus cutting her off from her speech at the present.

      “Collectors have tastes that are so well refined, A stamp you should give her that’s one of a kind.”

      “A stamp?” gasped the Bika, alarmed at the thought Of a stamp so unique that it couldn’t be bought.

      “But how can I get one so rare and so precious Without my own money, this gift grand and gracious?”

     Then the Whoot flapped his wings wildly without delaying And motioned the Bika back toward her home, saying,

      “Without your own money there’s little to do But give her a homemade stamp crafted by you.

      Return home and seek out the needed supplies In drawers and cabinets, and on this wise

      (With markers and scissors and glue and some paper) You’ll fashion a stamp for her. Go now with vigor!”

     Armed with wisdom that her friend the Whoot had thus chorused, Epona, the Bika, ran out of the forest,

      Backtracking across moonlit fields of cold snow, Descending the hillsides, her shadow in tow,

      And into her cozy warm home she adored To make a small present that she could afford.

      She shook off the snow and the chills of cold weather And gathered the needed supplies altogether.

     But a question then struck amidst concepts abounding: Which picture to draw out? They all seemed astounding.

      A cute little Snowbunny lapping up milk, Or what if she sketched out a dress made of silk?

      A Warf in a tree with a Magic Cookie, Or perhaps a satisfied Kadoatie?

      Her owner out shopping? A Yurble done mopping? Or how about something a bit more eye-popping?

     Her good owner kept large jars of worms to be eaten; If she drew an earthworm, her gift it might sweeten…

      But what about slushies and gourmets galore? Her owner loved so many treats and much more.

      There had to be one thing above all the rest, A thing so desired to make it the best.

      The cure for Kikoughela seemed a good topic… But maybe one picture was just too myopic!

     Putting markers in mouth she began to design it, A wonderful page of new stamps in alignment.

      Each one had a picture of fond memories Of them both together. This would surely please

      And brighten her countenance, warm up her heart, So she’d know how loved she is e’en when apart.

      Each stamp drawn with care and with fondness unmeasured Created a present so priceless and treasured.

     As she finished this project of grand illustrations, A wonderful gift to surpass expectations,

      She cut each one out with a stamp of her hoof And, giving the back of each one glue enough,

      Arranged them with utmost care on a new sheet, Completing her Christmas gift. My, what a feat!

      She placed the stamp album page in Christmas wrapping And sealed it with ribbons and bows overlapping.

     “It’s a wonderful gift,” she sighed, smiling unceasingly, Placing her owner’s gift under the pine tree.

      The tree had no lights yet–it would take some time For them to put up all the decor sublime–

      But each brand new day giv’n to them from above Would grant them great days spent together with love.

      The Petpet, now satisfied with her decisions, Returned to her small bed and to her dream visions.

     She curled up once again with her head on her pillow, A pillow shaped just like a sour Strypedillo,

      And breathed out another small sigh of relief. Her evening so magical neared disbelief!

      But now it was done, and the present was set; The joy she felt, she knew she’d never forget.

      The only thing left to do? Wait for the morning And let sleep envelop her with dreams adorning.

     ‘Twas the first day of Advent, but in dawn’s first sunlight No creature was stirring because of a good night

      Of doing the small things that make life so sweet And giving from one’s heart their own special treat.

      Although it was paper so flimsy and cheap, Her gift to her owner was precious and deep.

      The Bika lay smiling, the gift not yet given, But already it made their home feel like heaven.

     For she knew that she’d found out the secret to giving Was not about money or gifts of fine living,

      But giving was all about gifts from the heart And sharing a piece of yourself at the start.

      Epona, the Bika, felt loved even more To realize that Someone had sent Yu to her.

      Neopian Times Issue Holiday Special Deserves nothing less than a bond so special!

     Happy Holidays!

     The End.