Natalia stood up against the snowstorm on the desert path before her. It was Christmas Eve morning; she was on her way to Natasha, her grandmother, who lived on the village’s other end. Her grandmother struggled to walk due to her arthritis, so Natalia picked her up yearly.

Christmas was the only reason Natasha left her house, as she participated in the Christmas service. The church was close to her son’s house, so she slept over there to follow the evening Holy and the next morning’s mess.

Nonetheless, Natalia wondered. Why did her grandmother visit the church only at Christmas and not Easter, which was also a holy feast? One day, she dared to ask and received the following answer: «On Christmas, we celebrate Jesus’ birth, which brought light to us. During the year, we struggle and experience disappointments, and when we end up feeling we can’t take it anymore, then we celebrate Christmas and receive hope and strength for next year. »

Natalia couldn’t see where she was going. Helplessness and despair fell upon her; her grandmother couldn’t attend church, which was vital to her. Out of nowhere, a giant dog appeared beside her.

«Hold on to me, and let me lead you, » a voice said. Natalia looked around; there was no human, only innocent white snow. She did as she was told and fought through step by step with the dog’s help.

Natasha was waiting for Natalia next to the window. The moment she saw her granddaughter, she opened the door, and like a miracle, the snowstorm stopped.

«I was afraid you couldn’t come! »

«My new four-legged friend helped me. » Natalia wanted to introduce her savior; the dog had vanished. She looked around; there was no trace.

Natasha immediately grabbed her granddaughter’s arm and said, «Let’s go! It might start snowing again. »

©2025, Vasiliki Papadopoulou, all rights reserved.