Once there was a young bird, small and brave,

Who dwelled beside a hidden stream’s wave

In the warm heart of Equatorial Guinea.

In his village, tales stirred of a land afar

Where people celebrated Christmas under a northern star.

Compelled by stories of a transformative night,

The little bird decided to take flight

To see this Christmas with his own eyes,

Despite being told, “Such dreams are unwise!”

Yet, his desire to fly was greater than any fear,

Driven by a hope that Christmas was near.

“Who are you, Christmas? Where might you dwell?

I will cross the world under your spell,

To see if truly you can bless

A mortal’s life with happiness.”

Over mountains and seas, he tirelessly sought,

Through perilous skies and thoughts wrought.

Crossing the ocean, reaching lands anew,

He told himself, “I will see this through!”

But to his dismay and aching heart,

He found those people played the same part.

They knew of Christmas, a different look they wore,

Yet inside, they harbored the same empty core.

“Who are you, Christmas? Are you but a tale?

Across the world I’ve come, through storm and gale,

To see if truly you exist,

To bring joy, to heal, to persist.”

Once more into the sky, he climbed with strain,

Tropical blood now chilled by the icy domain.

Suddenly, he found his wings would beat no more,

And down he fell, to the snowy shore.

Breathing hard, in the cold he lay,

Until a child found him at break of day.

She carried him home, where by the fire’s light,

Her family gathered, celebrating the holy night.

There, still breathing, he saw the glow

Of warmth and love in the fire’s show,

And with his last breath, the story he did hear—

A tale sublime, crystal clear.

“Oh, Christmas, come to me, though this is my end,

I am a tropical bird, on your lore I depend.

Hard though it was to find you, in this world of strife,

In seeking you, I’ve learned the essence of life.

Though all was lost in my quest so bold,

I’ve learned to fly beyond the mold.

In knowing you, Christmas, true love I’ve found,

A treasure gained, where hope abounds.”