Postcards from Herr Klaus, The Day Donner and Blitzen Learned to Swim

Greetings from Thuringia Forest

The warmth of summer has settled comfortably over the forests of Thuringia. The mountain streams, fed by the melting snows of spring, tumble joyfully through the valleys, their waters as clear as polished crystal. Wildflowers sway in the gentle breeze, birds sing from the pine boughs, and every creature seems determined to enjoy the long days of sunshine before autumn quietly returns.

It is one of my favorite times of the year.

For though Christmas may seem distant, summer has a way of reminding us that some of life's greatest lessons are learned not during grand adventures, but during the ordinary days spent with good friends.

One such lesson arrived only yesterday.

The Day Donner Learned to Swim

A Curious Invitation

Ulvie had spent the morning exploring the woods with Donner and Blitzen.

The twins had grown considerably since spring. Their legs were stronger, their antlers a little taller, and their confidence seemed to increase with every passing day.

While wandering through the forest, the three companions came upon one of the mountain streams that winds its way toward the valley below.

The water sparkled beneath the summer sun.

It looked cool.

Refreshing.

Perfect for a swim.

Blitzen thought so immediately.

Without hesitation, he bounded from the bank and splashed into the water with all the grace of a falling boulder.

Water sprayed in every direction.

Fish darted beneath the rocks.

A nearby kingfisher took flight in startled protest.

Blitzen emerged with the largest grin I have ever seen upon a reindeer's face.

"Come on, Donner!" he called.

"The water is wonderful!"

A Reindeer's Worries

Donner remained firmly planted on the riverbank.

He lowered one hoof toward the water.

Then quickly pulled it back.

He sniffed suspiciously.

He looked downstream.

Then upstream.

Finally, he looked at Ulvie.

"Is it deep?"

Ulvie smiled.

"Only a little."

"Is it cold?"

"A bit."

"Will I sink?"

"No."

"Are you certain?"

"I am."

Donner considered this very carefully.

The stream continued flowing as though it had all the time in the world.

Encouragement of Donner

Ulvie stepped into the water himself.

"It's all right," he said gently.

"I'll stay beside you."

Blitzen splashed happily in circles nearby.

"You'll love it!" he shouted.

"It's like running... except wetter!"

I could not help but laugh.

Some encouragement comes through gentle words.

Other encouragement comes through joyful example.

Both are needed from time to time.

Donner looked from Ulvie...

to Blitzen...

back to Ulvie again.

He took a deep breath.

And placed one hoof into the stream.

Nothing happened.

Another hoof followed.

Still nothing.

One careful step became two.

Two became three.

Then...

Splash!

A smooth river stone shifted beneath his hoof, and Donner stumbled completely into the water.

For one very brief moment his eyes grew wide with surprise.

Then something remarkable happened.

He discovered he could swim.

The Joy of Discovering to Swim

Within minutes the timid reindeer who had questioned every step was racing through the stream beside his brother.

The twins splashed one another.

They chased drifting leaves.

They leaped over smooth rocks.

Occasionally they sprayed poor Ulvie from head to toe.

He pretended to mind.

I am quite certain he did not.

Soon the laughter of one boy and two young reindeer echoed throughout the valley.

Even Spähen, who had wisely remained upon a dry rock, seemed to enjoy watching the spectacle.

I simply sat beneath a pine tree with my walking staff across my knees and smiled.

There are some moments too precious to interrupt.

A Lesson from the Stream

As I watched Donner play, it occurred to me how often fear keeps us standing safely upon the shore.

We ask the same questions Donner asked.

Is it too difficult?

What if I fail?

What if I am not ready?

What if I cannot do it?

Those are honest questions.

Yet they are seldom answered while standing still.

Sometimes the only way to discover that the water is safe...

is to step into it.

Not recklessly.

Not foolishly.

But courageously.

With trusted friends beside you.

Why Friends Matter

I have learned that courage is rarely a lonely thing.

Most often it begins because someone believes in us before we believe in ourselves.

Ulvie never pushed Donner.

He never laughed at his hesitation.

He simply stood beside him.

Blitzen did not explain why swimming was wonderful.

He simply showed him.

Between a patient friend and an enthusiastic brother, Donner found the courage to take that first uncertain step.

That is what true friendship often looks like.

Sometimes we lead.

Sometimes we encourage.

Sometimes we simply remain close enough that another heart feels safe enough to try.

Summer's Greatest Gift

By afternoon the three friends were soaked from nose to tail.

Their laughter could be heard well beyond the meadow.

The stream remained as cold as ever.

Yet somehow it no longer seemed frightening.

It had become a place of joy.

As we walked home through the forest, Donner shook himself dry one final time, sending a shower of water over all of us.

Blitzen laughed.

Ulvie laughed.

I laughed as well.

And I found myself thinking that perhaps summer was created for days exactly like this.

Not because anything extraordinary happened.

But because ordinary moments, shared with those we love, often become the memories we treasure most.

Until my next postcard arrives, my dear friend, I hope you will find the courage to step into something new this summer.

Take the first step.

Encourage someone who is afraid.

Laugh often.

Splash when the opportunity presents itself.

And never forget that life's greatest adventures usually begin with one small, uncertain step.

Your Friend,

Herr Klaus

Thuringia Forest. July 4, 1103