Strange Tracks In the Snow

Across the Fence #527w

A Kingdom of Driftless Beauty Christmas Story  

It’s almost Christmas and strange things have been happening in the Kingdom of Driftless Beauty. Someone turned the water on in Old McDonald’s barn one night. When he arrived to milk the cows he was greeted by a flooded mess. Old McDonald wasn’t happy and his cows weren’t in a very good mood either. Many of them had left the barn and were nowhere to be found.

The next evening there was trouble at the Peep farm. Farmer Peep reported that his daughter, Little Bo Peep, had lost her sheep. Farmer Peep called Driftless Kingdom Sheriff Moon and told him someone had opened the door to the sheep barn. All the sheep were missing and they didn’t know where to find them. Sheriff Moon said, “Leave them alone and they’ll come home dragging their tails behind them.”

Little Bo Peep didn’t want to wait for them to come home and wanted to go into the woods and find them.

Sheriff Moon thought it would be too dangerous for her to go wandering around the countryside alone. Whoever let the sheep out and flooded Old McDonald’s barn could be out there and harm her. He said, “I’ll call Little Boy Blue to come blow his horn. Maybe the sheep are in the meadow and the cows in the corn. When they hear the horn, they might come home.

That sounded like a good idea and everyone hoped whoever was causing trouble had left the Kingdom of Driftless Beauty. This was a very tranquil, peaceful area and people weren’t used to acts of mischief and vandalism.

The next morning the Farmer in the Dell area called Sheriff Moon. He said, “When I went to my barn, the door stood open and the cow, dog, cat, and rat were gone, and the cheese stood alone in the milkhouse. I found their tracks in the snow heading to the woods. You better come down here and take a look at the other tracks I found. I’ve never seen tracks like these before.”

Sheriff Moon told Farmer Dell, “Don’t do anything until I get there. I’m leaving right now and we’ll get to the bottom of this.” While he was on his way to Dell, he received a call from Jack and Jill, who lived between Old McDonald’s farm and Farmer Dell. Jack said, “Jill and I were going up the hill this morning to fetch a pail of water, when we came across some strange tracks in the snow. I think you should take a look at them.”

Sheriff Moon told Jack he was on his way to Dell to look at some strange tracks and he’d stop at their place next. He wondered if anything was missing or disturbed at their place.

“Our water pail was missing,” Jack said, “We had to find another one to fetch the water in.”

As Sheriff Moon continued toward Dell, he decided to contact Fairy Princess Sonja on Sunshine Prairie. It looked like he was going to need her help. He got on his radio and put out a “Code Redhead” call. Every available officer was to head for Wolf Valley and find Carrot Top, the not-so-bald eagle, who lived there. He had red feathers on top of his head instead of white ones. There were rumors that his father was a Red-tailed Hawk, but that’s a taboo subject with Carrot Top’s mother. Carrot Top would know where to find Princess Sonja and he could fly her to Dell.

Meanwhile, back in Sherpeland, located near Three Rock Chimney on Sunshine Prairie, young Sean and his faithful dog, Sweeney, were playing in the snow that had fallen during the night. Sean was happy to see the new snow. Tomorrow was Christmas Eve and the new snow would make it easier for Santa and his sleigh to deliver presents to all the good little girls and boys.

As they were running around in the snow, and building a snowman, Sweeney suddenly stopped and began sniffing the snow. She had discovered some tracks in the snow and began following them toward the old barn. Sean followed Sweeney. The tracks led them to the door of the old barn that was no longer used. Sweeney jumped up, put her paws on the door, and began barking. Sean unlatched the door. As it swung open, Sweeney rushed into the barn to see what was there. She stopped suddenly near a big pile of old straw in a corner. The hair stood up on her back as she barred her teeth and began growling. Sean stopped behind Sweeney, sensing that something was hiding in the straw.

“Come on Swee, lets get out of here,” Sean said, as he began backing up toward the door. But Sweeney held her ground. She was a tough, smart dog. Her father was a German Shepherd and her mother was a Collie. Something was hiding in the pile of straw and she wanted to know who the intruder was.

Back in Dell, Sheriff Moon was examining the strange tracks in the snow when he spotted a large, red-headed eagle approaching in the western sky. Fairy Princess Sonja was riding on his back. Carrot Top fanned his wings and settled gently into the snow near Sheriff Moon and Farmer Dell. Princess Sonja slid off his back and transformed herself back to her full size. “Good morning, gentlemen. Carrot Top told me we have some problems here in the Kingdom.”

“We sure do,” Sheriff Moon said. “Someone or something’s been breaking into barns and letting the animals out. Take a look at these tracks that Farmer Dell found. I’ve never seen anything quite like them. They’re very small and are pointed in the front. It seems to have the same pattern of walk as a human, but the footprints are close together. It must be a very small creature. What do you think, Princess Sonja?”

She bent down and examined the tracks. This looks a lot like the trail of a Nisse, but they’re only found in Scandinavian countries. They’re associated with the Winter Solstice and Christmas Season. They’re about three feet tall, have long, white beards, and wear a red, pointed hat. It’s their version of Santa Claus.”

“If this is a Nisse, what’s it doing here in the Kingdom of Driftless Beauty,” Sheriff Moon asked, “and if it’s like Santa and brings gifts, why’s it causing so much trouble?”

“I don’t know how one could be here,” said Princess Sonja, “but Nisse are curious, very sensitive, and easily offended. They protect the farms in Norway and have great strength. They don’t like changes in the way things are done on the farm. If the family forgets to leave a big bowl of Rommegrot in the barn for them on Christmas Eve, they get mad and pull small pranks, like leaving doors open, but they’ve been known to burn barns down if they get really angry. I’ve heard the bite of a Nisse can be poisonous. When animals are found dead in the barns, people have blamed the Nisse.”

“Sounds like we have a serious problem on our hands,” said Sheriff Moon.

Back in Sherpeland, Sweeney knew something had invaded their barn, and she was going to protect Sean with her life if she had to. Sweeney continued to growl as she edged closer to the pile of straw. 

Suddenly, straw flew in every direction and a strange-looking, little, old man with a red, pointed hat, sprang from the pile and began running for the open door. Sweeney thought the creature was going to attack Sean and she sprang after the little man as Sean slammed the lower part of the door shut. Sweeney knocked the little man to the floor. He struggled to get up, but Sweeney had him pinned down. Her lips were curled back and her sharp, white teeth were inches from the man’s face. He finally quit struggling and said some words that were foreign to Sean, but Sweeney seemed to understand. She stepped back and let the little man sit up and dust himself off.

Just then, Princess Sonja’s White Owl flew into the barn and landed on Sean’s shoulder. The White Owl was able to communicate with humans and animals. “I could sense there was trouble in Sherpeland and flew right over. Are you all right?”

“We’re fine,” said Sean. “Sweeney just caught this strange creature hiding in our old barn. What is it?

“That’s a Norwegian Nisse,” said the White Owl. I’ll ask him what he’s doing here.” The White Owl then started a conversation with the Nisse in Norwegian-Owlish-English, so both the Nisse and Sean could understand the conversation.

“Who are you and what are you doing here?”

“I’m Little Ole, the Nisse on the Ostrem farm in Norway. I’m lost and I just want to go home.”

“How did you get here?”

“I stowed away in the luggage when the Ostrem family came here to visit their relatives in Sherpeland. When they went back to Norway, I was so busy enjoying myself, I forgot to hide in their luggage again. Now it’s almost Christmas Eve and I need to get back to the Ostrem barn in time to deliver their presents. They also bring a big bowl of Rommegrot to the barn on Christmas Eve, for me to enjoy. Is there anyone who can help me get home?”

“Stay here while I fly off and get Princess Sonja. She’ll be able to help you.”

It wasn’t long before the White Owl was back, followed by Carrot Top, Princess Sonja, Sheriff Moon, Old McDonald, Little Bo Peep, Little Boy Blue, Jack and Jill, and the Farmer in the Dell. They made quite a commotion as they arrived and almost scared Little Ole back into hiding.

Everyone wanted to see a real Norwegian Nisse and find out what he’d done with their animals. Little Ole said, “They’re just fine. None had been hurt. If Little Boy Blue would blow his horn a few times, they’ll all come home, just like in the nursery rhymes.” But Little Ole was very worried. “How am I going to find my way home? Tomorrow’s Christmas Eve. I need to get back to the Ostrem farm in Norway. The children are expecting me.”

“We’ll get you home,” Princess Sonja said. “I know a secret passageway through Middle Earth for emergencies like this. I’ll escort you there and the Trolls from Norway will take you the rest of the way. But first, everyone else can leave and go find your animals. Sorry, Sheriff Moon, the location of the secret passage must remain unknown to all, except those of us with magical powers.”

Everyone wished Little Ole good luck in getting back to Norway in time for Christmas. They left the farm and headed for the Uff da Bahn that would take them back to their farms.

When they were gone, Princess Sonja told Little Ole to follow her and they’d head for the secret passage.

Sean finally spoke up. “Can Sweeney and I come too? Please, we want to help Little Ole get home too.”

“Let them come along.” Little Ole said. “If they hadn’t found me, there’s no way I’d be heading back home now.”

Princess Sonja looked at the White Owl and Carrot Top to see what they thought. They both just shrugged their feathers. “It’s your call,” said Carrot Top, “but they did find Little Ole.” Sweeney stood up and wagged her tail. 

“Oh, all right,” Princess Sonja said, “but after Little Ole leaves, I’ll have to sprinkle some Forgetful Dust on both of you. It’s important that the secret passage remains a secret. The entrance isn’t far from here. The snow’s not that deep, so we’ll walk across the fields.”

“You can all walk,” said Carrot Top. “White Owl and I will fly on ahead and meet you there.”

Princess Sonja, Little Ole, Sean, and Sweeney headed south through the snow, across the rolling fields of Sunshine Prairie, toward Birch Hill. When they arrived, Princess Sonja led the way through the heavy underbrush until they came to a small clearing next to some large rocks. Carrot Top and the White Owl were waiting for them atop the rocks.

She walked up to one rock and sprinkled some fairy dust on it. The rock began to move and change shape. Legs, arms and a face took shape, and before them stood a very large Troll with a long nose. There was a dark hole in the ground where the rock had been. Sean and Sweeney got behind Princess Sonja and peered around her at the giant, ugly Troll. 

Little Ole, meet Harold. He’ll be your guide through Middle Earth, and will get you safely back to the Ostrem Mountains in Norway. As you know, Trolls turn to stone if sunlight hits them, so they’ll wait until dark to escort you from the secret passage entrance in Norway, to the Ostrem farm. 
Princess Sonja knelt down and hugged Little Ole. “Good luck and have a Merry Christmas.”

“I will, thanks to all of you.” Little Ole then went to Sean and Sweeney and gave them both a big hug. Sweeney licked Little Ole’s face. “Thank you both for helping me get back home. I won’t forget you.” He then turned and followed Troll Harold into the hole. He turned around, waved, and said, “Merry Christmas everyone.” There was a loud sucking sound and they disappeared.

Princess Sonja said, “We’ll wait here for a few minutes.” Quicker than you can say, “Holy Christmas, what just happened here?” The Troll reappeared holding Little Ole’s red, pointed hat. He gave it to Sean and said in a deep voice, “Little Ole wanted you to have this as a Christmas present. He’s safely back in the Ostrem barn and all is well.” Then the Troll slowly changed shape and became a large rock over the secret entrance again.

Princess Sonja took a bag from her pocket, opened it, and sprinkled some Forgetful Dust on Sean and Sweeney. “It’s time to go home,” she said.

When Sean woke up on Christmas Eve morning, he wondered where the little, red, pointed hat, next to his bed had come from. There was a note attached. “God Jul og mange tusen takk. Your friend, Little Ole.”

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