Today Gini and Karl went to visit Ms Hippopotamos. She had invited them and their friends over to bake gingerbread men with her. When they arrived in her garden, they paused to admire the amazing decorations. Twinkling lights, shiny baubles, and even a little mechanical snowman that waved at them made the garden look like it had been sprinkled with Christmas magic.
Felicitas and Clive were already there, pressing a button that played the Christmas story. They watched Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus in the stable, the three holy kings traveling with their camels and sheep that looked suspiciously like they were plotting to eat the gingerbread men later. Christmas Carols played, and Karl hummed along, "Do you think Santa ever eats cookies shaped like camels?"
Ms Hippopotamos opened the door. She was a friendly lady with a hearty laugh that shook the windows (and nearly Karl's hat off). Her house was warm and cozy, with big paintings on the walls showing her adventures in exotic countries. As a young lady, she had traveled the world - now she was traveling hearts with her charity work.
Gini and Karl took off their coats and boots and went into the kitchen with their friends. Some friends were already waiting there and more friends arrived one by one and soon everyone was wearing funny aprons that made them look like dancing penguins in chef hats. Karl whispered to Gini, "Do you think penguins could ever bake gingerbread men without eating them first?"
Ms Hippopotamos had already prepared mountains of dough. The children rolled, shaped and decorated gingerbread men in the funniest, cutest and most beautiful ways imaginable. Some had frosting mustaches, candy eyes or little scarves made of jelly strips. Into the oven they went, puffing with warmth and smelling like sweet Christmas magic.
Even with so many children working together, it took hours to finish the dough. By the end, they had baskets overflowing with gingerbread men. Finally everyone got to bake a special gingerbread man just for themselves and a few more for parents and siblings too.
"What are you doing with all those gingerbread men?" Felicitas asked, eyes wide. "You can hardly eat them all by yourself!"
Ms Hippopotamos laughed, shaking her head. "I'll sell them at the Christmas market tomorrow," she explained. "The money goes to my foundation for sick children. Even here, some children need help. Your gingerbread men can bring hope and happiness... and sometimes even health!"
Karl immediately perked up. "I think I'll go home and get my pocket money! I want to donate it too. Everyone deserves a happy Christmas!"
The others nodded and dashed home, then returned with coins jingling. When they got back, Ms Hippopotamos had laid out hot chocolate, cookies and a mountain of marshmallows. The children sat down, sipping, munching and chatting about how they could become researchers one day - finding cures (real cures!) for illnesses while giggling over gingerbread men that looked suspiciously like dancing penguins.
Karl winked at Gini. "I think we just made the happiest cookies ever. And maybe the smartest too - at least they're learning and eating at the same time!"
Everyone laughed. What a sweet, warm and wonderful day. And somewhere in the back, a gingerbread man was plotting to escape the cookie jar... just to dance a little penguin jig before Christmas morning. 🐧💃
Copyright © 2004-2025 Katja Socher, tuxgraphics.org