The Magical Menagerie is a gentle place. It is full of color. It is full of music. It is full of friends. It is warm and kind. Wayland loves his home. Magic sparkles in the air. Tiny lights float around. Every path glows softly.
Wayland is a musician. Wayland is kind and bright. Wayland lives in the Magical Menagerie. In the Magical Menagerie, gentle animals dance. In the Magical Menagerie, tall trees whisper. In the Magical Menagerie, soft grass tickles the toes. Wayland loves to sing songs. Wayland loves to play his little harp. The little harp is made of golden wood. The little harp is light in Wayland’s hands. It makes a warm, happy sound. Wayland sings each morning. He sings to the birds. He sings to the butterflies. He sings to the smiling flowers.
One sunny morning, Wayland wakes up early. He stretches his arms. He hums a tune. He looks for his harp. He calls, “Harp? Harp? Where are you?” He looks on the table. He looks on the chair. He looks on the bed. He looks under the blanket. He looks behind the pillow. He looks here and there. Wayland does not find the harp. Wayland’s smile turns to a frown. Wayland feels lonely and sad.
Just then, Santa arrives. Santa is jolly and bright. Santa wears a soft red coat with white trim. Santa carries a small sack on his back. Santa sees Wayland’s frown. Santa asks, “Why are you sad, friend?” Wayland says, “My little harp is gone. I cannot play songs.” Santa nods. Santa says, “Let’s look for it together.” Wayland brightens. Wayland says, “Yes, please.”
Wayland and Santa set off on a gentle walk. They step on soft moss. They step past bluebells. They step by a tall sunflower. They listen to a blue bird high above. The blue bird sings, “Try the flower field.” Wayland and Santa wave and say, “Thank you, blue bird.” They tip-toe into the flower field where pink petals flutter. The petals dance around them.
Next, they find a rainbow pond. The pond water shimmers in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. A small deer drinks from the edge. The deer looks up and whispers, “Try the crystal cave.” Wayland and Santa say, “Thank you, deer.” They follow a winding path to a crystal cave. In the cave, walls sparkle like stars. Soft drops of water echo with gentle music. A frog hops near a glowing stone and croaks, “Try the golden waterfall.”
They step out and walk to the golden waterfall. The waterfall glitters like melting gold. The waterfall sings a soft hum. A turtle basks on a sunlit rock. The turtle nods and says, “Try the singing stream.” Wayland and Santa thank the turtle with a smile.
They follow the hum to the singing stream. Tiny fish jump and splash to the melody. A butterfly lands on Wayland’s shoulder and flutters its wings. They feel a soft breeze that carries a happy tune. Santa smiles at the breeze. The breeze seems to point to a cluster of dancing flowers. The flowers sway and giggle. They say, “Try the shiny mushroom.”
Under the shiny mushroom by the stream’s edge, Wayland sees a golden glow. He bends down and finds his little harp tucked in soft moss. His heart leaps. He lifts the harp gently. He hugs it close.
Wayland holds the harp. He touches the strings. He plays a soft tune. The tune ripples over the stream. Birds join in. Deer prance around. The frog croaks a happy beat. The dancing flowers sway to the rhythm. Santa claps his hands. Wayland hums. They laugh together. They sing a rainbow song. They spin around in circles. They smile wide.
Wayland says, “Thank you, Santa. Thank you, friends in the menagerie.” Santa says, “Well done, Wayland.” Wayland learns: with a caring friend and kind helpers, lost things can be found. Wayland promises to care for his harp. He plays a new song each day. The Magical Menagerie is full of music once more. Sunlight warms every leaf. Rainbows arch above the menagerie. All is calm. All is bright.
The end.