Festive Fir Finds

The Christmas tree farm was alive with holiday cheer. Families wrapped in warm scarves and mittens wandered through rows of snow-covered evergreens, their laughter echoing in the crisp winter air. Icicles sparkled in the sunlight, hanging off the edges of the rustic barn and the 1920s pickup truck parked nearby, adorned with a festive wreath. Badger and Yote stood near the tree lot, sipping steaming mugs of coffee while watching the locals pick out the perfect Christmas trees to take home.

“This is my favorite time of year,” Badger said, breathing in the fresh scent of pine. “It’s not just about selling trees; it’s about seeing everyone’s excitement for the holidays.”

Yote nodded, his ears perking at the sound of children’s laughter in the distance. “Absolutely. It’s like our trees become part of their stories.”

Badger placed his mug down on a nearby fencepost and unrolled a piece of paper. “Speaking of trees, I’ve got a puzzle for you,” he said with a grin. “Take a look at this layout of our tree farm.”

Yote leaned closer to study the grid. Rows of Douglas Fir, Pine, and Blue Spruce trees were sketched on the paper. Each tree was marked with a star at the top—but only one had a unique five-pointed star. Badger tapped the paper with his paw. “Can you find the tree with the five-pointed star?”

Yote scratched his chin, narrowing his eyes as he scanned the diagram. “A five-pointed star, huh? Let’s see if I’m as sharp as one of those stars.”

The two friends chuckled as Yote began working through the puzzle, the sounds of the bustling tree farm continuing around them.

Can you find the five-pointed star?

🧠 This story highlights the joy of the holiday season and the importance of traditions. It also brings focus to observation and attention to detail, critical skills for solving puzzles and navigating the challenges of everyday life. Just as Yote must focus to find the unique star, we’re reminded to take a closer look at the things that make this season special.

Special shout out to Hope Groves Nursery who designed the puzzle artwork!