The Polar Express in Troutville Park
Imagine waking to the sight of a train outside your window on Christmas Eve. It’s not just any train: this is the Polar Express. And you have a ticket.
That’s exactly what happens in Chris Van Allsburg’s now-classic children’s Christmas story, The Polar Express. A little boy listens for sleigh bells but hears a train instead, sitting outside his home. The conductor invites him aboard to join the other children – all still in their pajamas – to enjoy delightful treats during a roller-coaster journey through chilly forests and snowy mountains. They finally arrive at the North Pole to the sight of Christmas toy factories and hundreds of elves, waiting for Santa to appear and distribute the first gift of Christmas to one lucky child.
Which child received the first gift? You guessed it: our little friend. When Santa asked him what he would like for Christmas, the little boy requested an unexpectedly small but unique item: a bell from Santa’s sleigh. Santa gave him a bell, the clock struck midnight, and the reindeer took to the sky.
Back on the train for the return trip, the little boy reached into his bathrobe pocket for the bell. To his great disappointment, all he found was a hole. The bell was gone. Later, he waved goodbye to the train and his new friends with only memories, but no memento, of his special trip.
Christmas morning arrived, and the little boy opened many wonderful presents with his sister. To their surprise, there was one last tiny box under the tree. The little boy opened it to find his lost bell, which according to the note Santa left with it, was found lying on the seat of Santa’s sleigh.
The little boy jingled the bell, becoming lost in the most beautiful sound he and his sister had ever heard. But his parents thought the bell was broken; they could not hear it at all.
Years passed, and over time even his sister could no longer hear the sweet sound of the bell. But for this little boy, now a grown man, the bell always sounded as clear as ever, as it did to everyone who truly believed.
At Botetourt County Libraries, we can hear the bell that rings in the spirit of Christmas – and we want to share it with you. On Saturday, December 11 at 11 a.m., join us at the caboose in Troutville Park as we travel together to the North Pole in this amazing Christmas tale.
Along the way, we’ll have cocoa, learn how to bend a candy cane without breaking it, and explore the world of trains. Bring a chair and a blanket to this outdoor event, designed especially for children ages 0-11. If it’s a rainy day, then we’ll move the event to the following Saturday, Dec. 18. Please register on our website so we’ll know how many people to expect. We can’t wait to see you there and share this special season and story with you!
~ Julie Phillips, Director
Botetourt County Libraries
