Glass of lemonade courtesy of OpenClipart.org/nicubunu

The Elementrees worked together to shovel the snow around Mr. Grumble’s house. They were doing their best to follow their own rule number 9, which was “Hold bake sales, lemonade stands, rake leaves, and shovel snow.” They were working on the “shovel snow” part.

Mr. Grumble supervised the proceedings from his porch. He was wearing a Hawaiian shirt, Bermuda shorts with a Hawaiian pattern, and he was holding a glass of lemonade that had a cocktail umbrella and straw in it.

“When you’re done shoveling snow, who’s in the mood for some ice cold lemonade?” Mr. Grumble asked all the kids who were busy shoveling snow off his driveway, walkway, and sidewalk.

“It’s the middle of winter,” Amy Lockhart complained. “Don’t you have any hot cocoa?”

“The ice cubes represent winter. The lemons represent summer. It is a perfect combination. Sometimes it’s fun to break tradition,” Mr. Grumble said.

“Grumble’s lost his marbles,” Tommy Tomorrow said to a few Elementrees next to him.

“Hey, that’s my department!” Brian Glass protested. Brian loved to play with glass marbles.

“He’s wearing summer clothes in the winter!” Tommy said, pointing in Mr. Grumble’s direction and laughing.

Brian looked over at Mr. Grumble and couldn’t believe he could stand being outside in such light summer clothes. “How do you keep warm, Mr. Grumble?” Brian asked him.

“I think warm thoughts,” Mr. Grumble said. He was now sitting on a plastic garden chair on his porch, leaning back with one hand behind his head and one hand holding his drink.

The Elementrees were using the smallest snow shovels they could find, so they could better handle them. The shovels became very heavy when they added even a small amount of snow to them. The Elementrees pushed lines of snow this way and that. A lot of snow was being left behind, falling off the sides of their shovels, so they picked up after each other.

Their gloves, hats, and scarves were getting wet. Snow was still falling from the sky.

Cynthia Buttons refused to participate in shoveling snow because it might mess her hair and nails. She stayed under the roof overhang of Mr. Grumble’s attached garage and encouraged everyone like a cheerleader.

“You can do it! You’re doing such a great job,” Cynthia said.

Amy wanted to roll her eyes, but stopped herself.

Many Elementrees members’ hands made for light work.

“It’s amazing how fast you’re all shoveling the snow,” Cynthia said. “You’re almost done.”

More snow was coming down on the ground, but the Elementrees did not quit. They knew helping Mr. Grumble with the snow shoveling was a good deed. The weather forecast called for snow all day and night. Maintaining the amount of snow would help Mr. Grumble maintain his health. Even though Mr. Grumble was grouchy at times, he needed help and he meant well. He was trying to toughen up the Elementrees to handle the real meanies in this world.

Mr. Grumble was now standing in his doorway holding a tray of 10 glasses of lemonade.

“Alright kids, that’s enough for now. Let’s wrap it up!” he said. “I brought you all some lemonade to thank you for your good work. It’s quitting time.”

The Elementrees wished he had some hot cocoa, but they accepted his lemonade just as well. They were thirsty after all their work and they had warmed up from working outside. They were starting to feel they could shovel snow forever and not feel any cold.

The lemonade was refreshing. They did their best to think of summer. The lemonade helped them remember the summer and the ice reminded them it was winter.

“Thank you, Mr. Grumble,” they said almost in unison.

“Mr. Grumble, the lemonade is nice for breaking tradition, but nothing beats some hot cocoa in winter,” Tommy Tomorrow told him.

“There’s no sugar in this lemonade. It’s better for your health. The vitamin C in the lemonade will prevent the cold and flu,” Mr. Grumble explained to Tommy. “Besides, don’t you kids call yourselves the Lemon Trees and not the Cocoa Kids?”

“We’re the Elementrees, Mr. Grumble. Not the Lemon Trees,” Tommy corrected him.

“Same difference,” Mr. Grumble said in a huff. He put all their empty glasses back on his tray and his face lit up as he saw everyone enjoyed the lemonade. He looked up and saw all the snow the kids had shoveled. “Thank you very much for all your hard work shoveling my snow. I cannot thank you kids enough!” he said.

“You’re welcome, Mr. Grumble,” the kids answered.

“You’ve given Mr. Grumble a great day off,” he said and then walked back to his front door.

Question: What is your favorite winter holiday beverage? You can leave a comment by clicking here.