The Henry de Hollyhead Story
Early one winter after the first snow fall, Henry was created by rolling two snow balls. All the children joined together to make a snowman. One ran home and returned with a top hat, another a fresh carrot for his nose, and by the first call for dinner Henry the snowman had been born. Henry had twigs for arms, eyes made from nuts, and buttons from stones, but all Henry wished for was friends and a place to call home. He waited where they built him, ready to play the next day, but everyone ran by him. For seven days he kept his chin up but on the eighth day he was forlorn. Days passed, rain fell, his hat blew away with the wind. Henry lost his nose, then a button, and a mouse took one eye home. Then one day it snowed. The children were sledding when one saw Henry and fixed his missing button with a stone. If he had ears his smile would have touched both it was so broad. A new snow collar was made for Henry’s neck, a nut was found for his eye, a hat was on his head and the finishing touch was an orange balloon for his nose. Everyone on the playground gathered, making apologies and giving Henry hugs then a sprig of holly was placed on Henry’s head. “Henry the Hollihead” everyone cried! Henry raised his head high, proud of his new trims. He wanted to thank them. He hoped they would never leave and with all his strength he puffed up his chest blew into his new nose and held his breath. The balloon on his nose extended out long enough to make any dachshund proud. Everyone laughed and from that day forward until spring everyone would play with Henry and made sure he was properly trimmed. Each year now they rebuild him and pass the tradition on, for creating a snowman is only part of the fun. Building everlasting friendships is what grows and lives on.
