Candlelight flickered and cast a warm glow inside the old log house. Dinner was long finished and the remnants stowed away for another day. The children were scrubbed clean, cozy in their pyjamas, and eagerly awaiting the arrival of St. Nick. A candle burned low, sputtered, and went out. “Maman, you have to find another candle.” The mother, prepared for this eventuality, placed a fresh candle to join the others on the Christmas tree. A pine tree. With needles drying out by the second. A. …
