It was the winter and Irene, Brody, Josh, Tawny and Dakota were all desperate to see Max. When they heard a KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK they all shouted, “MAX!” “Are you back for the holiday?” asked Brody. “Yes, I am!” “Will you make one of your best soups?” “For the holiday dinner? Of course, and I will make some bread to go with it,” said Max. “Wow, that’s a lot,” said Brody. “Want to sing carols tonight?” “Sure,” said Max. “Is Harold coming too?” “I don’t know about that,” said Max. Then they heard another, KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK! Brody said, “Is it him?”

When Irene opened the door they all shouted, “HAROLD!” Harold came also. “Wow, such a surprise! Maybe we can go down by the pond,” said Harold, “and catch some fish.” Max said, “I don’t know about that. Let’s go catch some fresher fish.” “Oh, Harold said, “I forgot the swamp water was a little dirty. I went into the pond this morning to take a bath and I got the pond a little dirty.” “That’s o.k.” said Dakota. Tawny said, “I don’t really like to eat fish.” “Me either,” said Brody.

The next day was Christmas Eve. Max made his soup and his bread again for dinner. Then he told another story. Then they went to bed and the next day was Christmas!!! Max opened his present first. It was a new bowl just for his soup… “from Max’s friends,” the card said. “Wow! Thank you, it is just want I needed,” said Max. Next Brody opened his present, “Wowzers! A new chew toy! Just what I wanted this Christmas. He looked at the card, it said from Max. “Thanks Max!” Brody said. “It is just what I always wanted. I can get rid of this old one now.” Next Josh opened his present. It was from Dakota. It was bird food. “Thanks Dakota!” Next Dakota opened her present. It was a tuna cookie. “Wow! I never knew there was such thing as a tuna cookie.”

“Hey, there is one more present. It is under the tree. It is from Santa. It is for all of us! Let’s open it.” “Max is going to open it because he’s our guest,” said Dakota in a grumpy way. Max opened it. It was a picture book of Max, Brody, Dakota, Tawny, Josh, Irene and Harold! They looked at it for hours and hours and hours. This is the best Christmas ever!!!

Soon it was summer. They waved good-bye to Harold and Max. “See you next year!” they shouted. “And Happy Holidays!”

THE END