Old Man Winter Puts Autumn to Sleep
Day 1: A Cozy Rhyming Fable for the Winter Prompt Challenge
This story was written for Tamsin G.‘s Cozy Quill Tales’ Cozy Winter Prompt Challenge — Day 1: Winter Puts Autumn to Sleep.
A sweet, soft tale of seasons personified, where Winter carries Autumn into her yearly rest.
Old Man Winter snarled and growled in his sleep, his breath a visible cloud of frost in the cold air. The moon leaned down and tapped him with a thin beam of rousing moonlight.
“Wake up,” the moon whispered. “It’s time.”
Winter blinked awake, grumbling as he rose from his creaking chair. “Already?” he muttered.
“Autumn’s leaves are falling,” the moon said. “You’ll be late.”
He shuffled ‘cross the floorboards, and each step began to sing—
Like a man on frozen lakes, each creak an icy ring.
He found young Autumn nodding, her red curls like ember’s glow, a final crimson leaf slipping from her sleeve. As he leaned closer, she looked up with childlike eyes,
Her long, flowing lashes fluttered softly in surprise.
She saw Old Man Winter and knew she was safe in his arms,
A guardian to hold her, protecting her from harm.
“Ah, it is time,” he murmured, as he scooped her in his arm,
With grandfather’s quiet strength to keep her safe and warm.
He carried her to a grassy knoll, a hollow soft and deep,
And laid her down in fading light, where she could gently sleep.
“Rest well,” he whispered with a grin, “I’ll keep the world good and frosty.”
This was gorgeous. Soft, tender, and painted with real care. The way Winter carried Autumn like a grandfather tucking in his favorite child hit me right in the chest. It felt peaceful, almost protective. 🤍
So beautiful!