Gabriel's Tale - Chapter 1: The Discovery

Chapter 1:  The Discovery

Gabriel the Snowman was a little worried.  It had been two weeks since he’d seen his best friend, Poetry the Calico Cat.  Gabriel knew Poetry did not like walking in deep snow.  That might be why she hasn’t come out to play, he thought.  When the snow was deep she always sank down so far she’d get stuck.  Then the three little boys who lived in the house would have to come rescue her.  The little boys loved to play in the snow, too!  Come to think of it, I haven’t seen the three little boys in awhile either.  Furthermore, the house was dark at night.  He’d not seen any smoke curling out of the chimney.  Hmmm.  What does this mean?  Gabriel fell asleep that night with that question hanging heavy in his heart.

The next morning as Gabriel’s eyes slowly opened to frozen snow sparkling with sunlight, he heard footsteps crunching toward him.  He shivered with excitement as he opened his eyes all the way.  It wasn't Poetry.  It was a stranger standing next to him.

“Look at this Snowman, will ya, Ethel!” the elderly man shouted back to his wife.  “I suppose those three little boys who used to live here made him.  He looks right at home here.  I think I’ll leave him until the warm weather sees him off next month.”  With that the old man went back into the house and shut his door tight against the cold.

Gabriel’s eyes widened as he stared at the house.  Used to live here?  Made him?  Warm weather sees him off?  “Oh, dear!” Gabriel exclaimed to no one in particular.  Not only was his best friend, Poetry, gone, it would seem he would be too—and permanently, once Spring arrived.  Gabriel pondered this all day.  The more he thought about it the more he knew he had to do something.  But what?

That night he finally fell asleep and began to dream.  In his dream his Fairy Godmother appeared and offered him one wish, but before he could think what it should be he woke up.  By now the sun was reflecting off the snow into his eyes.  Try as he might he could not fall back to sleep to finish his dream.

All day Gabriel thought about what he would have wished.  Should it be for Poetry to return?  No, without the three little boys to make me each year I’d soon be the one gone.  He could not wish for both Poetry and the three little boys because that would be two wishes.  No, I’ll have to wish for legs so that I can find Poetry for myself and when I find Poetry I’ll find the three little boys, too.  But legs would not be enough if he didn’t find Poetry right away because soon he would melt!  No, I must wish for some other way.  This thought was on Gabriel’s mind when he fell asleep that night.

The night sky was clear.  The air was crisp.  The moon and stars illuminated the landscape.  Gabriel twitched here and there as he began dreaming once again about his Fairy Godmother, and as he did a miraculous thing began to happen.

First, he grew smaller.  Then white fur began replacing his white snow.  Next he grew a leg, then another one, then two more!   Two ears popped up on top of his head and instead of a carrot for a nose, he sprouted a little white tail in the shape of a carrot!

Early the next morning Gabriel was awakened by his own barking!  In his  excitement he ran to the glass door at the back of the house to see his reflection.  He could hardly believe his eyes!  He looked like a little white dog.  He was a little white dog!  Now I can look for Poetry!

But before he could turn around to leave on his search, the old man opened the sliding glass door and scooped him up.

“Ethel, look what I found at our door!”

“Oh, dear,” his wife said.  “He must be cold and hungry.  Bring him over to the fireplace while I get him some breakfast.”

Now, Gabriel was feeling hungry—a new and strange feeling for him—so he was glad to stay for a bite to eat, but then he must be on his way.  For the first time he saw where Poetry had lived for so many years.  Suddenly he felt a heaviness in his heart and wondered, Will I be able to find her even with my new legs?  Wearily, Gabriel lay down by the fire and fell asleep.              

When he awoke he was full of energy to start his journey.  The old man, however, had other plans for Gabriel.  He slipped something over his head and said, “There now, boy.  Be still.  Let me put this collar on you and then we’ll go outside.”  Then the old man attached a leash to the collar.

As the old man opened the back door Gabriel bounded for the outside, but the leash stopped him before he could get very far. Trapped!

After letting Gabriel sniff around the yard a bit, the old man took him back inside where his lunch was waiting for him.

I appreciate the food and your kindness, but I really must be on my way.  He tried to communicate this to the couple with a wag of his tail and soulful eyes, but they just smiled at him, patted him on his head, and said, “There, there, boy, everything will be all right from now on.  We’ll take care of you.”

Oh, no! thought Gabriel.  They intend to keep me!  So Gabriel decided to plot his escape.  After he ate his lunch he lay down by the fire to make his plan.

Startled awake by a slamming door Gabriel’s head shot up.  His ears stood at attention as his mind cleared.  Climbing up to the windowsill above the couch he looked out and saw the couple getting into a car.  This is my chance!

                 
Gabriel leapt to the floor and ran to the back door.  It was closed!  Then he tried the front door.  It was closed, too.  Even Poetry’s cat door was locked.  Gabriel went back to his spot by the fireplace and lay down.  By now the fire had gone out.  The room looked as cheerless as he felt.

©CathyGilleylenSchultz

Chapter 2:  What's Going On?