A Christmas Tale

Dr. McAdam Zeus and the StarTree

In the hidden heart of Shangra Law, where the air shimmered with starlight and the snow whispered ancient songs, stood Dr. McAdam Zeus’s workshop—a place where broken things came to shine. Little robots flitted about, repairing jars of glow dust and assembling tiny stars, while the warmth of lanterns filled the room with comfort and mystery.

Elias, a boy clutching a dim lantern, stepped inside. “Dr. McAdam,” he said, “Why is my light fading?”

Dr. McAdam turned to the towering Star Tree. “To restore your light, climb the tree. Its star will guide you. But each step will test your heart.”

At the tree’s base, shadows surged and clawed. “Face them,” whispered a glowing robot. Elias held his lantern high, and the shadows retreated.

The robot handed Elias a shard of starlight. “Each light shared grows stronger,” it said. Elias added the shard to his lantern, its glow brightening.

Halfway up, Elias faced a roaring beast, its fiery breath blocking the path. “Tame my raging flame,” it demanded, eyes gleaming with challenge.

Elias stepped forward. “Flames can destroy or warm. I will share my light, not fight.” His lantern glowed brighter, softening the flames into warmth.

The beast placed a glowing ember in Elias’s hand. “The light no longer burns,” it said. Elias added the ember to his lantern, its glow growing stronger.

Higher up, Elias met a creature with wings of starlight and eyes of riddles. “Answer my question, or turn back,” it said, voice stern but fair. “The righteous crave me, the fool spurns me. I am born of discipline. What am I?”

Elias thought. “Wisdom,” he said.

The creature nodded. “I see that you understand! You may pass.” He creature handed Elias a key of starlight. “The rainbow lights the way,” it said. Elias placed the key in his lantern, its glow sharpening and focusing like a prism.

At the summit, Elias found himself in a shadowed courtroom. A dark figure sneered, “He is not worthy of the light!”

Dr. Zeus sat as judge, calm and glowing. Elias stepped forward. “I’ve faced shadows, fire, and riddles. My light is earned, not stolen.”

Dr. Zeus remained impassive, his gaze steady, but the demon’s grin widened as Elias’ lantern dimmed, flickered, and then, finally, went out. The heavens dissolved. The courtroom faded to darkness, and Elias stood before the Crown, the Eternal Star shining with charity over all lights.

Then, Elias’ lantern exploded in radiant glory.

“Your light is your own. Treasure it.” The words of Dr. Zeus echoed in the stars as Elias climbed down, his lantern steady and bright. As he passed the lifeless robots, he knelt and shared his light. Each one flickered back to life, their sparks dancing in Elias’ heart with joy.

Elias stepped through the workshop’s door, his lantern glowing steadily.

“You are born again, crowned by the Eternal Star now,” Dr. McAdam said, smiling. “His Light will guide you, and those who listen, wherever you go.”

Elias looked down at his glowing lantern, his hands trembling. “What if it goes out again? Do I really have the Eternal Star’s Light within me now?”

Dr. McAdam smiled, resting his hand gently on Elias’s shoulder.

“Yes,” he said, “You do. The Light is yours, not because you found your way up, but because long ago, before this moment, before even you were born, and knowing this day would come, He came down.”