Short Story: Jasper And The Fox

Short Story: Jasper And The Fox

At ten years old 3'4" was not an ideal height, and Jasper despaired of ever getting Jasmine to take him seriously at school.

He leaned his elbows on his bedroom window-sill and gazed down at the fox, standing motionless in the middle of a frosted, moonlit lawn, staring back at him for a minute or so before disappearing under the back of their woodshed.

Jasper?" seconds later his bedroom light flicked on and his mum was framed in the doorway, "Why aren't you asleep? It's nearly midnight!"

'Because,' he thought to himself, 'I'm scared of the kids you've invited to my party tomorrow!' but he said nothing.

"I expect you're excited about your birthday, but you really need to get some sleep Baby." and she kissed his forehead.

'Baby!' he scowled silently.

A look of understanding crossed his mother's face, "I must remember to stop calling you that; - I'm sorry sweetheart. Now, will you get back into bed, - please?"

As Jasper hugged her, and did as he was bid, the vixen watched from the woods beyond their back fence, then made her way through the sparkling trees, which tinkled in the breeze. She would be back tomorrow.

-------

Snow fell in the early hours. Jasper watched his fox bouncing amongst the snowflakes, playing at catching them, and he laughed. She stopped and grinned at him, - and he crept downstairs to raid the fridge for her, then, putting on his wellies, and thick coat, he eased himself out of the back door to face her across the snow.

"Come on girl." he whispered, and she came, amber eyes alert but soft in the light from the kitchen window.

"Thanks!" she said, when she'd tucked in hungrily, "You're a very special person."

Jasper was so shocked he sat back in the snow.

"You're old enough now," said the vixen, "if you'd like to, Santa could do with your help?"

"Won't mum notice I've gone?"

"Time stands still." she answered, "You'll get all the sleep you need, with the satisfaction of knowing you've helped a great man."

Jasper stood up, brushing snow off. "Now?" he asked eagerly.

"Hello!" boomed a jovial voice, "Jasper! I'm so pleased to meet you at last!" and Santa's great hand engulfed Jasper's. "All newest arrivals get to help me with the sleigh, - or looking after the reindeer, - which would you like?"

"R-reindeer p-lease?"

-------

Jasmine looked incredibly pretty in her spangled, pale green dress as she handed Jasper her gift.

He grinned, his eyes alight with something which intrigued her. The children who usually bullied him saw it too, - confidence, - he walked up to them and smilingly shook their hands. This was his day, and tomorrow would be Christ's day.

"Cool music!" one of the gang remarked, but Jasper had taken Jasmine's forearm, and his mum relaxed as she saw him put a bangle around her wrist; - it was a ring of snowflakes.

A bum-dent was still in the snow outside...