The Tale of Orrec and Biff: A Christmas Story
“No. Absolutely not. It's a terrible color for me - makes my skin look all yellowish and pale, like I'm sick.”
Biff tilted his head. “Nah, it brings out your eyes. You look really spiffy, trust me.”
“Why should I wear a Santa hat at all? Remind me?” Orrec glared at Biff in the mirror.
“Because you didn't want to be the reindeer, either, and I have only the two hats. I did give ya a choice, remember.”
Orrec snorted. “And how long am I expected to wear this?”
“Just until we get home from the party. And hey, think of the great comic irony!”
“Where is this party?”
Biff grinned, showing his large, square, teeth. “Town square. Ya know that big tree in the middle? They've decked it all out with ornaments and tinsel and the like. I hear there will be refreshments in the school gym.”
“That's kinda far to walk.”
Biff rolled his eyes. “We're flying, idiot. What kind of an impression would it leave for us to walk in? Besides, that's the dramatic irony of it: Santa is going to be flying, while the reindeer rides!”
“Do you really think this is a good idea, boss? We might scare the people. After all, it is Christmas - what about the holiday spirit?”
“Orrec, shut up before you make me mad. We're flying.” Biff shoved him aside to look at himself in the mirror. “My tie is lopsided, you moron. Fix it!”
“Okay, boss.”
“Mommy, mommy, look!”
Biff grinned as Orrec swooped over the crowd, then landed on the platform right in front of the tree. “Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas!” he shouted. Then he waited. Nothing but open mouths and gasps. He nudged Orrec.
Orrec sighed and breathed a great spurt of fire into the air. The men gasped, the women screamed, and the children divided themselves into wailing and oohing.
Biff rolled his eyes. “You were supposed to say Happy New Year, you dolt!”
“Do I have to breathe fire again? It scared the kids.”
“No, idiot. You weren't supposed to breathe fire in the first place!”
“But I thought...”
“Shut up.” Biff turned to bow to the crowd, then hissed at Orrec. “Stand up on your hind legs.”
He gestured with a hoof as the dragon stood. “Don't worry,” he shouted into the microphone, “I've got him under control; there's nothing to be afraid of. In fact -” he looked up over his shoulder at Orrec significantly “-the dragon has begged to come along so he could wish you a...”
“Happy New Year!” Orrec flapped his wings to keep his balance, knocking into the great Christmas tree. Ornaments flew out into the crowd. Everyone shrieked and ducked, pushing away.
“So much for making a good impression.” Biff glared at Orrec. “Great going, idiot. Now they'll never like us. Let's go home.”
Orrec cowered, then gently grapsed the back of Biff's leather coat with his front claws, flapped his great wings, and flew off into the night. Everyone watched them leave, but only one small, red haired boy was troubled by it.
His name was Nick, and he was seven years old. He tugged at his father's sleeve with wide eyes. “Daddy, where are they going?”
“Probably back to their cave.”
Nick squinted at the sky. “Where is that?”
“On thee mountain. It's okay; you're safe. They've gone.” Daddy went back to catching his glasses with one hand and holding baby sister with the other.
All week, Nick went into his room after school and locked the door. He put a sign on it: “Crismas Seekrets. Keep Out!”
It was sunny Saturday morning, surprisingly. Nick ate his breakfast really fast and found his mother. “Can I go play at Jeremiah's? It's so nice and sunny outside!”
Mom looked out the window. “Okay. Come back here if he's not home, though. And don't forget to put on your thick socks.”
Nick nodded and very carefully put on his snow clothes. Then he went outside, walking through the front yards to the end of the road. It was harder, because the snow was up to his knees, but if Mom saw him she might make him come home. He patted his coat. The surprise was still there, in the secret pocket on the inside. Nick smiled and went behind the last house to the secret road up the mountain.
The road wasn't really a secret, but no people usually walked on it. It was for the big trucks that carried lots of trees. They made the road dirty and Daddy always complained about having to wash the cars more. But that was in summer and spring, and it was winter now, so there were no trucks and no people on the road. It was snowy, like the front yards, and a little bit spooky because there was no noise except the trees whooshing high high up. Nick started to walk up.
“Yeah, that last one went so well,” Biff sneered. “Why wouldn't I want to do that again?”
Orrec's head drooped. “I just thought maybe... if we practiced... maybe we could go to the Christmas party in the valley on the other side of the mountain. I'll work real hard. Please?”
“Why do you even want to? You said it was a dumb idea last time, and I had to talk you into it.”
“Well, but you convinced me -”
“Well, let me 'convince' you again,” Biff snapped. “We're not going.”
“Hello?”
Biff froze. “Orrec, what did you do?”
“Nothing boss, honest! I-”
“Shh!”
“Hello?”
They both looked toward the entrance of the cave. A small human, dressed head to toe in green except for red mittens, stood in the snow. “I brought you a Christmas present.”
Biff blinked as the boy started to unzip his coat. “Hey, kid, whadaya think you're doin'?”
The child tilted its head. “Getting your present.”
“Aww, let him, he's just being nice. 'Sides, I love presents!” Orrec snaked his neck over Biff's back to look. “What is it?”
The child held up a crinkled package. “Open it!”
“Orrec!” Biff blocked him. “It could be dangerous!”
“Like what, an internet? I've always wanted to know what one looked like, really...”
“No, doofus, not an internet. It could be... a bomb... or... an iron stake... or...”
The dragon tilted its head. “It probably can't hurt me. Besides, it's just a kid. Do you want me to stand in front and protect you?”
Biff snorted. “No, of course not! I'm not scared. I'm... being practical.”
The child was standing uncertainly, package clutched in its mittened hands. A tear shone on the end of its nose.
“Biff! Now look what you did! You made it cry!” Orrec pushed around him. “The package is very shiny. So beautiful! Did you wrap it yourself?”
The child smiled. “Yes. And I made it, too...”
“Really? I've never had a present anyone made me before! Did you hear that, Biff?”
“I heard.”
The child sniffled and held out the package. “Open it!”
Orrec took it and gently tore off the colored wrapping paper. Inside was a pile of white paper, folded and glued together.
“It's a book,” the child said, eyes shining. “About you!”
“Cool! Hey, Biff, come look at this! Its a book!”
Biff trotted around Orrec's large body. “Yup.”
“Read it!”
Biff looked dubiously at the pages. “I...”
The child looked up. “I can read it, if you want.”
“'Okay!” Orrec bobbed his head up and down.
“Stop it, Orrec, you look stupid. I'm freezing out here. Read it by the fire, where it's warmer.” Biff turned to the back of the cave.
The child pulled off its coat, boots, and hat. It was a little boy, with bright red hair. “Hey, what's your name?”
“Orrec. What's yours?”
“Nick.” The boy grinned. “What's the sheep's name?”
“He's Biff. Are you ready?”
“Yes!” Nick sat on the floor and took the book. “Can you see the pictures?”
“Yes.” Orrec settled down behind him.
Biff stiffly folded his legs to lie next to the boy. “I guess.”
“Okay. It's called The Happy Sheep and the Windy Dragon. Writed by Nicholas Palmer. Pictures but Nicholas Palmer. That's me.”
Orrec bobbed his head. “Cool!”
Nick turned the page. “One time a sad sheep lived on a mountain. He was sad because he didn't have any friends. He walked in the forest, but there were no friends there. He walked in the field, but there were only mice and they were too small. The sad sheep went to sleep.
“On the other side of the mountain was a dragon. When he waved his wings he made a lot of wind. So his name was Windy Dragon. He didn't have any friends and he was sad, too. He flew around the mountain, but he didn't see any friends. Then he went to a village, but all the people were scared and ran away. The dragon was very sad. It flew back to its mountain.”
“Ow!” Biff jumped up, glaring at Orrec. “Are you crying?”
“Its so sad!” Orrec sniffed.
“Yeah, well, your tears are big. And hot. I'm sad when you drip on me! Cry on the floor, not on me!”
“Sorry, boss.”
Biff lay down again. “Go on, kid.”
“When the dragon was flying over the field, he saw the sheep, sleeping sadly in the field. He flew down next to the sheep. His windy wings woke up the sheep. It sat up and said, 'Who are you?'
“'I am Windy Dragon,' said the dragon.
“'Oh. I am Sad Sheep.' said the sheep.
“'Why are you sad?' said the dragon.
“'Because I can't find any friends.' said the sheep.
“'Oh. I will be your friend!' said the dragon.
“'Really?' said the sheep.
“'Yes!' said the dragon.
“'Super! Cool! Great!' said the sheep.
“After that they went and lived in the dragon's cave because it was better than the sheep's field. And the sheep stopped being sad. Now it was happy, because it had a friend. The end.”
The boy closed the book and looked up. “Do you like it?”
Orrec nodded. “It's wonderful! The pictures look just like us!”
“I'm not blue.” Biff snorted.
“Well, just like us if Biff were blue and I were orange. I always wanted to be orange.”
“It was very dark, so I didn't know what color you were,” Nick explained.
“It's a really cool book,” said Orrec. “I like it a lot.”
“Thank you.” Nick beamed and squirmed. Then his eyes widened and he jumped up. “Oh, no, it's getting dark! Momma's going to be really mad!” He picked up his coat and hat.
Biff sniffed. “Are those wet, kid?”
Nick nodded.
“How'd you get here?”
“Up the secret road that the tree trucks use.” He pulled his hat on.
“You can't walk home in wet clothes! Tell ya what, how about Orrec here gives you a ride?”
The boy's eyes shone. “You mean, flying?”
“Yup.”
“Really?” Nick looked up at Orrec.
The dragon bobbed his head. “Of course! I'm nice and warm. Just pull on your clothes and climb on my back. That's right. Put your hands round my neck and hang on real good, okay?”
“Okay!” The scarf muffled his voice, but not his enthusiasm.
Biff caled up. “Where do ya live, kid?”
“On Mapledell Road. It's near the school.”
“Which house?”
“The yellow one.”
Biff nodded. “You know where that is, Orrec?”
“Yeah. I'm not dumb, Biff.”
“Alright, then. Bye, kid. Fly real careful, Orrec.”
“Of course, boss.”
“Bye, Biff! Merry Christmas!” Nick started to wave, then grabbed ahold of Orrec again as the dragon jumped and started to flap his wings.
Biff watched them go, a tear sparkling in his eyes.
“Can we go to the Christmas parade tomorrow? Please?”
Mom sighed. “I don't know, Nick.”
“But I've been really good all week!”
Mom lifted her eyebrow. “Like yesterday, when you shoved your brother into the chair and he banged his head?”
Nick looked at his socks. “But I didn't go into the forest, and I didn't talk to any dragons OR any sheep.”
Mom sighed. “We'll see what your father says.”
His father said “I guess so.” Nick could hardly sleep. He looked at the ceiling and thought about what was going to happen tomorrow. He heard the cuckoo clock say it was eight thirty. Then it was morning.
Nick got dressed and went in the kitchen very quietly so he wouldn't wake up his little brother or baby sister. He was already almost done with a whole bowl of cheerios when Dad came out in his sleeping shorts.
“Hi, Dad! I'm almost ready!”
Dad rubbed his face. “I'm not. I have to eat and get dressed and shower.”
“Oh.” Nick looked down at his cheerios.
“The parade doesn't start until ten o'clock, Nick; it's only seven-thirty. You can watch cartoons while you're waiting, okay?”
“Okay!”
It too half of one show and two whole ones more before Dad was ready. Baby sister was too little, and little brother was snuffly, so Mom stayed at home with them. Nick helped Dad push all the snow off the car so they could drive around the mountain to the town on the other side, where the parade was going to be. Nick tilted his head so he could see the sky out the window, but he didn't see them.
They parked the car at Uncle's house and stood on the sidewalk in front of it. Nick watched the big kids march by, playing noisy, exciting music with drums and trumpets. There was an old, fancy car for Uncle Mayor, and he waved and winked at Nick and shook his head when Daddy raised his arms over his head with his hands together and whistled. They would have to go later and talk to him so Nick could get the leftover candy he was throwing to people from the car. Mister Jeffries, who was very old and always talked to Nick at the swimming pool, rode in another fancy car. Nick jumped up and down and waved to him. And then came some clowns, pushing shopping carts that were all fancy. They threw candy, too.
Then a loud noise, a siren and the fire truck came, with Santa on top waving and smiling. Nick squinted and looked more carefully. Santa on the fire truck was always last. Nick squeezed his eyes so no tears could fall out.
Then everyone said, “Ooooh!” and Nick looked up again. There, on a huge wagon pulled by a tractor, was Windy Dragon and the Happy Sheep! There were little Christmas trees all around the edges of the wagon, and red and green ribbons on them and on Biff and Orrec, and Orrec had a Santa hat and Biff was wearing reindeer antlers again. Orrec was holding a sign that said something in big, fancy letters.
“Daddy, what does it say?”
Dad tilted his head like he was confused. “Peace on earth and good will toward men.”
Nick frowned. “What about women? And children? Are there good pills for us, too?”
Dad laughed. “Good will. And men means people.”
“Why didn't they write people?”
Dad looked down at him. “It was probably too long to fit on the sign.”
There were a lot of people walking behind the wagon on the street. Nick pulled Dad. “Let's go behind the dragon and the sheep!”
Dad raised an eyebrow, but let them walk in the back to the end of the parade, at the park. There, Uncle Mayor picked up an electric shouter (Daddy called it a bullhorn, but it didn't look like a daddy cow or a horn).
“Thank you all for coming to the twenty-seventh annual Christmas parade! Special thanks to all our sponsors, Al's Grocery, Hoffman Dentistry, The Flying Angels marching band, and the fire department. And a special thanks to Biff the sheep and Orrec the dragon, who would like to offer free dragon rides to everyone! Just line up, starting at the slide.”
Nick jumped forward and wiggled through all the standing-still people to climb up the ladder and onto Orrec's back. “Hi, Orrec!”
“Hi, Nick! How do I look?”
“You look super.” Nick kicked his legs. “Go on, fly!”
“Sorry, kid, only walking today.”
Nick looked down to see Biff. “Biff! Hi! Did you see me in the parade? I was waving! And the plan worked!”
“I dunno, kid, no one else is lining up.” The sheep looked at the empty slide.
Nick nodded. “Okay, I can help with that.”
When they got to the slide again, Nick slid down and ran to the fancy car his uncle had used. He grabbed the electric shouter and stood up on the back seat so everyone could see him.
“Come ride the dragon! He's very nice, his name is Orrec, and it's lots more fun than riding a horse or an elephant! Well, I never rode an elephant, just looked at one, but they can't fly, so a dragon is better. Even if Orrec is only walking today. Come on! Get in line!”
Lots of people laughed, and some people went to the slide to have rides on Orrec. Nick gave the electric shouter back to Uncle Mayor.
“Well, you're pretty brave,” his uncle said, looking at him hard. “Didn't your folks ever teach you to be afraid of big dragons that could eat you?”
Nick raised his eyebrows. “Orrec eats cabbages and carrots and apples. He won't eat me.”
“But he could.”
Nick laughed. “No!”
“Nicholas!” Dad was scowling. Nick looked at him carefully but didn't say anything. “Don't you know you're not allowed to run away from me like that? And who said you could ride the dragon? He might have hurt you!”
Nick blinked. “He's my friend.”
“No. Dragons are not friends with little boys.”
“Actually,” Uncle Mayor patted Nick on the head - which Nick hated, but he couldn't complain today because he was already in big trouble - “Orrec is quite a calm and sensible dragon. Harmless, I'm pretty sure. And it was Nick who introduced us.”
Dad's eyes were big but his eyebrows were still scowling. “What are you talking about, Warren?” Warren was Uncle Mayor's real name, and Dad called him that because they were brothers.
Uncle Mayor patted Nick's head again. “Nick apparently felt sorry for the dragon and the sheep at the Holiday Festival two weeks ago. In fact, he made them a Christmas present, a book - it's quite good, actually, they showed it to me - and took it up to them. Then he talked to me at church and asked me to visit them. And that's how they came to be the stars of the parade.”
Dad's eyes were hard. “Why didn't you tell me about this, Warren? He ran away, without our knowledge, not only into the forest, but to make friends with a dragon. Think what could have happened!”
“Yes, I know, James, but it didn't.”
“That's not the point, is it? What about next time? It's...” Dad closed his mouth hard and grabbed Nick's arm. “We're going home.”
Nick knew he shouldn't talk when Dad was mad, so he just waved to Uncle Mayor.
“I hope Nick didn't get in too much trouble. His dad looked real mad.”
Biff lay down in front of the fire. “Eh, the kid can take care of himself. They really liked us yesterday, didn't they?”
Orrec swung his head up. “Yeah, they did! Do you think they'll-”
“Hello?”
They turned to see a woman standing in the doorway.
“Hi, I'm Ashley, Nick's mom. I brought you... something for Christmas.” She turned and looked at the sled behind her, piled with boxes in shiny paper.
“Wow, really?” Orrec jumped up and bounded forward.
Nick's mom smiled. “Yes. Nick wanted to come, but - well, I brought you a Christmas dinner.” She handed a box to Orrec. “There's cabbage and carrots and apples - that's what Nick said you liked?”
“Oh, yes! My favorites! I love crunchy things!” Orrec bounded to put the box in the back of the cave.
“Okay, well... there's a roast chicken, just in case...”
“That smells fantastic!” Orrec was back at the front of the cave in three galumphing bounds.
“I'm glad you like it. And for you,” she turned to Biff, “I made a multi-grain mash. Oats, barley, some cracked corn...”
“Aw, thanks, lady, you shouldn't have.” Biff peered into the box. “Oh, it looks amazing!” He stuck his nose in.
“Biff!” Orrec pulled him back with a careful claw. “It's for Christmas! We have to wait until tomorrow!”
Biff scowled at him. “Who says?”
Nick's mom laughed. “You can eat it all now, for your Christmas Eve supper, if you like.”
“See?” Biff's long face disappeared back into the box.
“Thank you very much.” Orrec bowed, gracefully sweeping his long neck.
“No problem.” Nick's mom was suddenly very red. “Well, I'd better get going. Merry Christmas!”
Orrec jumped up. “Please, let me give you a ride!”
“Well...” Nick's mom twisted the toboggan string.
“Oh, don't worry, I can carry the toboggan, too, no problem. Please? It would be an honor.”
“Oh, alright.” Her face melted into a smile. “Go on, then.”
Biff let her stand on him to climb up on Orrec's back. “Thanks a lot, lady. The food was wonderful.”
She smiled. “You are welcome. Merry Christmas!”
Biff watched as Orrec glided down the mountain, then he turned back to the cave and shook his head to get the tears out of his eyes. “Merry Christmas to you, too.”