The Forgotten Offering

The first scream wasn’t human. The barn door slammed itself shut — chains rattled,

hooves pounded, and something small began to laugh. Red cap. Gray beard.

Eyes like burning coal. The Julenisse — not Santa. Not kind.

Older than Christmas. The spirit that keeps your house alive, if you remember

him. He mends your tools. Guards your animals. Keeps the cold outside —

until you forget the offering. One bowl of porridge. One pat of butter on top.

Forget it once… and he remembers you forever. The milk curdles. The horses twist

in their stalls. Tiny footprints appear in the snow — too small for a