"A Simple Yule Story"

"A Simple Yule Story"

(A mid-shipman Pip Christmas story for my friends, especially "Z". I make a cameo as his "Uncle'. The first stave of Pip's adventures is below this one. You may wish to start there.  
...also there's been a bit of time travel in these few lines. As Pip, and his ship are from 1904, and this story takes place in 2032. ...shit happens.)

The HMS Agamemnon ported at the isle of Turquoise Christmas eve. There was snow on the ground, and the winds were brisk. Passersby greeted one another heartfully. The spirit of Yule was well about.

As Dickens wrote. 

"Christmas is that one time in the rolling year when men, and woman from all circumstance open their shut up hearts to the world."

Young Pip on liberty walked up Algernon Hill. This to his Uncle's shop of "Bewildered Amazements".  All prices negotiable.  Pip banged the brass knocker whose shape changed as the wind blew against it. There opened was his dear Uncle.

Pip's old kindly generous often befuddled by the world "Uncle".

Surprised, and bearing a broad smile Uncle said, "...Pip! Ah! ...and a merry Yule to you. Come in child! '...in in in from the cold!"

"Hi Uncle!" Piped Pip his round glasses fogging from the warmth of the shop. Uncle,..."Aw bless you child. How happy I am to see you."

Laughter smiles, and ironic jibes followed. 

"Cider! we must have cider" happily bellowed uncle.  Pip, "...yes it was so cold coming up your hill." Uncle's apprentice Toby poking his head from a side door, "....Hey Pip",..."Hey Toby!

"Cider, and buttered buns!" said uncle.

Cider indeed! We need some Toby magic. Hot Christmas cider minted as only you can! "I'm on it" said Toby disappearing into the heart of this magical yet user friendly shop.

About time travel. 

Pip often brings items from the past for uncle's inspection. This is how he gets so many bewilderments for the shop. More in another story.

Old uncle took Pip's tunic, and gratefully accepted various items from Pip's century. They sat by the fireplace where they spoke of seas, and  ships cabbages, and kings madmen, and poets.

Then came Toby with three very large drafts of Minted Christmas Cider! All three souls sat together warm, and cozy as they sipped laughed burped, and laughed again.

Happy they were. 

Happy in each other's company. Happy with the world.  

Happy as they blessed all in it.

A Happy Yule to all.