EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the eighth chapter in a 12-chapter fictional tale that will run through Christmas Day. Parents are encouraged to read aloud to their children.

By MEGAN SMITH

and HOLLY NITTOLI

Correspondents

Gabby stared at the spot where Emily had just stood, then looked at her parents. “So, we’re supposed to…what? Think happy thoughts?”

“Why don’t we try just putting the candle in the lantern?” Noah suggested, and Gabby shook her head.

“If it were that simple, Emily could have done it herself instead of giving us more riddles.”

“OK, maybe we have to say something first,” Noah said. “Like a magic word?”

“I think it’s more than a magic word,” Mom said, looking at the dark lanterns. “Emily mentioned gratitude. Maybe we need to share something we’re grateful for, something meaningful?”

Noah frowned thoughtfully and stepped up to the lantern. He held up his candle and hesitated for a moment before speaking. “I’m grateful for snowball fights. Especially the one we had earlier, because it was fun, and everyone was laughing.”

The wick of his candle pulsed with a fiery glow, and with a gentle whoosh, the lantern in front of him sprang to life. Its golden glow illuminated the snowy ground and reflected in Noah’s wide eyes.

“Whoa,” he said. “That actually worked!”

“Way to go, Noah!” Mom cheered, then grinned at Gabby. “You want to give the next one a try?”

Gabby chewed on her lip as she thought. “Okay…I’m grateful that Mom remembered to pack my favorite sweater. It’s freezing out here.”

“I thought it was supposed to be meaningful,” Noah teased, and Gabby gently elbowed him.

“It worked, didn’t it?” she shot back with a grin as she watched the flame ignite inside the lantern.

“Looks like it,” Mom agreed. She grinned, clutching her candle. “My turn. I’m beyond grateful for my family. I love you guys more than anything, and I’m so lucky to call you mine. I wouldn’t trade you for the world.”

Her candle’s wick flared, and suddenly, the glow began to jump from one lantern to the next. Like dominos, multiple lanterns burst into life, bathing the street in golden light.

“Wow, it’s like you got bonus points for that one,” Noah said.

“My turn!” Dad said, grinning widely. “I’m grateful for our Christmas traditions. Decorating the tree, watching old movies, baking cookies together — it’s what makes the season special to me.”

More lanterns flickered to life, and the family continued down the street. At first, the memories and expressions of gratitude they shared were simple and lighthearted. Noah talked about sledding and his favorite Christmas presents. Gabby admitted to loving family road trips, while Dad reminisced about the time they got lost looking for a Christmas tree and ended up cutting down a scraggly one that turned out to be everyone’s favorite.

Gabby approached one of the farthest lanterns, then hesitated, fidgeting with her candle. “Okay, I’ve got one,” she said, her voice quieter than before. “I’m grateful for Mom, because she always knows how to make everything better, and I know she loves me — even when I’m being…well, annoying.”

Mom’s eyes softened, and she stepped forward to hug Gabby. “Of course I love you, honey.”

A row of lanterns lit up, and Noah stepped up next. “I’m grateful for Gabby,” he said, a little sheepishly. “Because she’s always there to help me, even when I mess up. Like, a lot.”

Gabby ruffled Noah’s hair, and he swiped her arm away. “Aww, that was actually pretty sweet,” she said teasingly, then gave him a grin. “You’re a good kid, Noah. Mess-ups happen to all of us.”

The last few lanterns flickered to life, and the whole street was transformed. Twinkling lights in the windows joined the lanterns’ glow, and the snow seemed to sparkle more brightly than before. The warmth wasn’t just physical — it was something deeper, something that wrapped around them like a favorite holiday blanket.

“This was actually kind of cool,” Gabby admitted as they stood in the middle of the illuminated street.

Mom looped her arm around Gabby’s shoulders. “See what happens when we all work together?”

“Great things,” a voice said, and Gabby gasped in surprise as she whirled around to see Emily smiling at them.

“Well done,” Emily said, the lights making her eyes twinkle. “The lanterns glow again, thanks to all of you. But there’s still much more magic to restore. I’d say you have all earned a well-deserved night of good rest, and then tomorrow…are you ready for your next adventure?”

The family exchanged glances, their breath misting in the crisp night air. Gabby smiled. “Bring it on.”

Read chapter 9 in tomorrow’s newspaper.