Like all other stories, this one too begins with… once upon a time, there was a tiny fir tree. The forest in which he had grown was tick and beautiful and the air so fresh, that many children came here every summer, sitting under the tree, eating berries from baskets they themselves had woven.

– I want to grow up faster! I think it’s so much better to be a big fir tree, I can’t wait any longer! If I were as tall as the other trees, I would spread my branches and rise so, so tall!

And so the little fir tree could no longer enjoy the trill of the friendly brids, nor the rays of the sun or the playful rabbits, as he was too busy imagining what life would be like if only he grew up faster.

– Oh, growing up and being an adult is the only joy in life!

As time passed, the tree became taller and stronger! Each autumn, the wood cutters came and cut down some of the larger trees and our little fir tree kept on wondering where they were going, once they were brought down and put into big carriages.

– Little birds, you, who travel all over the world, do you know where the big trees are taken?

– Tweet, tweet, I know! I’ve seen a lot of them loaded on ships and taken out at sea.

– We know better, said the sparrows! We’ve seen them all over town. A colourful and majestic splendour awaits, something more beautiful than you could every imagine. People decorate them with lights and baubles and place them in the middle of large rooms.

– I wonder what the sea is like. And the lights and the decorations? When will I know? And… what wonderful things happen after the trees are decorated? Oh, how I wish…

And winter came round once more. Come Christmas time, many younger trees were cut down.

– What a beautiful tree! It’s perfect! our little firr tree heard at last.

Finally, his time had come, his wish would come true.

But… oh dear…the axe went deep into his trunk and it hurt him so. All of a sudden, the fir tree realised he would never see his friends again. It was too late to say goodbye, he was already in the carriage.

After a long, and not too pleasant journey, crammed with other trees, our fir tree reached his destination.

– It’s gorgeous! We’ll take it!

And so the fir tree ended up in a beautiful hall, by a warm fire place, silky sofas, rare books and colourful toys. A lot of people came and decorated his branches with golden nuts, red candles, candy and paper baubles. And on top… on top… woaaaa. A taller man placed a big, bright star.

– I’ve never seen anything like this. It’s amazing! thought the tree. Tonight everything will sparkle! I wonder what will happen next. Will I catch roots here?

After a few hours, the people lit up the candles, which was terrible for the fir tree. He was terrified he would burn down.

– Oh, what a beautiful tree! said the children, dancing around him, opening gifts and enjoying sweet treats.

Suddenly, nobody truly cared about the tree any more, they were all too busy with decorations on his branches.

– We want to hear a story! said the children to a friendly man.

They all listened to the story of Humpty Dumpty, while the tree thought of the greatness that would await the following day.

– I will no longer be afraid tomorrow. I will enjoy my own beauty, the decorations and the stories. Now I know what will happen. I am ready!

But come day time, nothing was the same! Two men came by and took him out of the room, shoving him in a dark attick.

– I think I must wait for spring here, thought the fir tree, after spending a few days in the attick, all alone. When it’s warm, these people will put me in the ground again. I miss my snow, my forest, my friends.

– Squeek, squeek, what an old fir tree!

– Heeeeey, I’m not old!

– Where do you come from? Talk to us about the most beautiful place on earth. Have you ever been there? Asked some curious and wicked mice.

And the fir tree started talking to them about his youth.

– Woa, you have seen so much! You are so lucky!

– Me? Well, yes, come to think of it, those were some really good times…

After many days, the fir tree finally got to see people again. They had come to take him out, in the yard.

– I finally get to stretch my branches again, thought the tree but.. lo and behold. All of his branches were dry now.

– Haha, look at this ugly, old Christmas tree, said one of the children who had danced around him on Christmas Eve.

– The only thing that’s still beautiful is the star. I’ll take it!

– No, I will!

– I will!

The tree looked around, admired the beauty of the flowers and the freshness of the garden, then he looked at himself, fallen to the ground. How he wished he had stayed in his forest back home!