It was cozy warm in the kitchen of the Fuller farm that December night. The twins, Kevin and Kendra were busy sprinkling powdered sugar on the freshly baked gingerbread cookies that completely covered the big oak kitchen table.

"I can hardly wait until tomorrow morning," Kendra said to her brother with a giggle. " I know," replied Kevin. "Christmas Eve must be the longest night of the year," He said with a deep sigh. Still giggling, Kendra responded, "It's worth the wait though."

She then leaned over the table toward her brother and asked in a serious whisper, "What do you want more than anything else in the whole wide world for Christmas?" Without hesitation Kevin answered, "a warm and wiggly puppy that will lick my nose and ears," he replied and smiling asked, "and what do you want more than anything else in the whole wide world?" "A dollhouse" she answered. "A dollhouse is the only thing in the whole wide world that I want for Christmas".

"Children," their mother called from the other side of the kitchen. "I hope you finish before your father arrives. I'm sure he'd enjoy some gingerbread cookies with his hot chocolate after his long ride home." "They'll be ready before Father returns," replied Kevin. " We promise, we'll do a good job mother," added Kendra. The twins then returned to sprinkling powdered sugar on the freshly baked gingerbread cookies that completely covered the big oak kitchen table.

It was a cold winter's night and the stars twinkled like diamonds against a black velvet sky. Snow fell softly through the moonlight, mixing with the smoke that rose from the chimneys in the village below. The falling snow covered the earth with a deep, white ermine coat. The stillness of the night was interrupted only by the clop, clop of horse hooves striking the snow-covered road that wound its way through the village of Bailey's Corner, Maine. It was Farmer Fuller astride his big black and white horse Panda. They were returning home from delivering gifts to friends and relatives in the village.

As they approached the center of town, Panda's ears perked up to the sound of laughter coming from the millpond down by the village church. It was a group of young people skating by the light of the winter's moon. Farmer Fuller waved to the children and wished them season's greetings. He then called gently to Panda, "whoa boy, whoa". The big horse slowly came to a stop. Farmer Fuller looked up to the star filled sky and remembered a cold winters night much like this one.

He had been a young boy and his father had taught him about the many constellations and important stars in the night sky. He remembered how his father had explained that a constellation was a family of stars. Each constellation had a name and could be recognized because they looked like people, animals or objects from stories that ancient people called myths.

Farmer Fuller searched the heavens for familiar stars. He found one sitting high in the sky just above the North Pole. Its name from ancient times was Polaris, but today, folks call it the North Star. It was at the very end of the handle of the Big Dipper. The Big Dipper was a constellation of seven stars that the ancient people named Ursa Major. Farmer Fuller then looked to the southern part of the heavens and found his favorite star. It was the brightest of all the stars in the sky and it was named Sirius. Many folks called it the Dog Star because it was found in the Constellation we call the Big Dog, but was called Canis Major by people long ago. "It's an easy star to find because it is so bright and beautiful," Farmer Fuller said aloud, patting Panda on the neck as he spoke. Panda snorted and whinnied impatient to continue the journey home. "Ok boy, giddy-up," said Farmer Fuller and Panda headed down the road that led home to his wife and family.

As Panda trotted slowly homeward, Farmer Fuller noticed that the light from the windows of the village homes shone bright with activity, but none shined brighter that night than those of the Fuller Farm at the edge of town. The Fuller Farm with its big red barn had been a landmark in this part of the county for nearly a century.

Inside the farmhouse, the rich aroma of pies and bread baking in the big black cast iron stove filled the kitchen with delicious smells. On top of the stove, puddings and sauces bubbled and squeaked their happy song. Mrs. Fuller hummed softly as she stuffed the prize goose that was to be the centerpiece of tomorrow\'s great feast.

Sitting at the big oak kitchen table were the seven-year-old twins, Kendra and Kevin. They were busy decorating freshly baked ginger snap cookies with frosting and powered sugar. Mrs. Fuller and the twins looked up and smiled as they heard the big barn door close, announcing the arrival of Farmer Fuller.

In the barn, Farmer Fuller removed the two big burlap sacks full of gifts that were slung over Panda's back, behind the saddle. He next removed Panda's bridle and hung it on a hook on the barn wall. Then with special care he removed the canvas bag tied to the saddle. Inside the bag something moved and gave out a quiet yelp. "Sorry I woke you, little fella," he said as he removed a small fat, black and white puppy from the bag. Farmer Fuller placed the small puppy on the floor and said "You go ahead and explore your new home while I take care of Panda". He then gave the horse a good rub down and filled the feed bin with fresh oats. Panda snorted softly and shook his head in appreciation as Farmer Fuller bid him good night.

Farmer Fuller walked across the barn and opened the door to his workshop. Not wanting to be left behind, the puppy quickly followed. There on the bench, was the dollhouse he had built for the Kendra. It was an exact replica of the Fuller Farm, red barn and all. He had started building it the previous autumn after he had gathered in the pumpkin harvest. It was a secret he had hidden deep in his heart and not even Mrs. Fuller knew of its existence. He carefully inspected the dollhouse for any final touches it might need. Finding none, he walked toward the door that led to the kitchen. He took a blanket from the shelf next to the door and spread it on the floor and called to the puppy." Here you go little fella, here's a nice warm blanket for you to sleep on tonight ". Pausing, he turned for one final look at his handiwork. He smiled with satisfaction as he imagined the surprise and joy on the twins' faces when they found the dollhouse and puppy under the Christmas tree in the morning.

When Farmer Fuller entered the kitchen, the twins jumped from their chairs and ran to greet their father. "It's a beautiful winters night," said Farmer Fuller. "Panda and I stopped for awhile to visit the stars." "Can we please visit the stars?" asked Kendra. "It would be fun," added Kevin. "It's the perfect night to do it," said their mother.

Mrs. Fuller then removed her apron, folded it neatly, and placed it on the counter. She gathered everyone's coats, mittens and scarf's and they all bundled up to go outside to visit the stars. Then, with the twins leading the way, the Fuller family walked outside on the porch. "Look up to the nights sky," said Farmer Fuller. "See how bright the moon is," said Kendra. "Look at all the stars," Kevin added.

"The night sky is home to millions of stars," explained Farmer Fuller. "Many of these stars gather together in families called constellations." "Are there many constellations," asked Kendra. "Will you please show us some" added Kevin.

"There are about a hundred constellations I know of," said Farmer Fuller. Then pointing to the southern part of the sky he said, "There is Sirius. It's the brightest star in the sky and is called the Dog Star because its part of the constellation called the Big Dog. Look carefully," Farmer Fuller continued. "And you'll see how the stars draw a picture of a dog in the sky."

"I see the dog," said Kendra and "I see Sirius, the brightest star," said Kevin. Then Farmer Fuller pointed to the northern part of the sky and said, "There's the North Star which sits high above the North Pole. Its part of the constellation called the Big Dipper. See how the North Star is at the very end of the Big Dippers handle." "I see the North Star!" exclaimed Kendra. "And I can see the Big Dipper," added Kevin.

Then, as the Fuller Family stood on the porch visiting the stars, a wonderful thing happened in the northern sky. Suddenly, beautiful shimmering lights that resembled the dawn appeared. The shimmering light danced across the night bringing a tremendous brightness to the heavens. "Its always so beautiful," Mother Fuller said softly. "What is it?" Kendra asked her father in awe. "Its wonderful," added Kevin.

"Its what ancient people called the Aurora Borealis, but today we know it as the Northern Lights," Farmer Fuller explained. "The Northern Lights appear only in the northern sky on cold, winter nights like this," Farmer Fuller added.

The Fuller Family stood together on the porch and joined hands as they gazed toward the North Pole. There in the sky they watched in silence as the beautiful lights of the Aurora Borealis shimmered and danced across the heavens.

All was well; it was Christmas Eve.