It is the year 2352. Chakona is the planet where the chakats (feline taurs), the skunktaurs (skunk taurs), the morphs (anthropomorphic bipedal beings of different species), among other creatures, have lived for centuries. Also, they share the planet, intelligent alien races such as the renzar (bear-like) and the rakshany (big cats), and some human emigrants from Earth.

It is a place with its own culture and traditions, where the old earthly celebrations are remembered only by some migrants or human inhabitants. Esteban suggested to his family that they give up celebrating Christmas for the neighborhood children, the little chakat puppies, who don't know about this holiday. For that, he asked his three friends from college, Chakat Lorna, Jhonny, his human classmate, and Vera the morph engineer, who, that Christmas night, came to the renzar's house dressed in their respective Christmas hats for help.

“Why did Esteban ask us to wear these strange red hats? What do they mean?” Asked Lorna, as they walked towards the neighborhood where the Renzar lived.
“Heh heh ... It's an ancient terrestrial tradition. These are the hats used by the elves helpers of Santa Claus” Jhonny answered smiling.
“I like. They are very beautiful. And this little bell that they have at the end, I adore it heh heh” Vera added as she made it ring, shaking her head.
"Hmmm ... I don't know, I feel strange wearing this," the chakat grumbled.
“Come on Lorna. Do it for the puppies. It's the children who have a lot of fun” Jhonny added putting an arm around Shi. As they rounded a street corner, they finally got a glimpse of the Renzar's house. Arriving at the entrance, however, they were surprised to see Natany rush out with a tray of snacks out onto the street.
“Hello guys finally arrived” exclaimed the renzar, who also wore a red cone-shaped hat on her head. After greeting everyone with a kiss on the cheek, the renzar said.
“The show for the children has already started. They are all there. It is in the central square of the town. Jhonny, would you be so kind as to bring the trays of snacks that were left inside?”
“Of course Natany. How else can we help?” The human answered hurriedly.
“And there are the last gifts for the children of the village. Those must also be brought.
“No problem. Vera and I will bring them” Lorna answered as they entered the house for them.
“Wow. I was not expecting to celebrate Christmas here in Chakona. My family, being human, never does” Jhonny commented.
“Well, I admit that for me it is also the first time. When Esteban asked us to celebrate it for the children of the neighborhood, it seemed like a new and fun idea”
“Yes, I suppose it is...” Jhonny said thoughtfully
"Very good Natany, I imagine this is what you need," Lorna said, leaving the house with a tray of snacks in her hands, while Vera did the same with several packages wrapped in bright colors.
“Come on Jhonny... Give me a hand here!” Demanded the morph.
"Right away my love," the human rushed to help her.
“Well guys. The stage is set up a couple of blocks from here. Follow me” Natany said, reigning her, and then moving quickly down the street towards the place.
“Don't forget your hats. You guys are Santa's helpers too! ”She added.
"I still don't understand who Santa is," Lorna answered curiously.
“I already told you, it is an old terrestrial tradition” Jhonny spoke behind several wrapped boxes that he brought with his hands.
After advancing through a couple of streets in the town, they finally reached a square space in the middle of the houses, with various trees and plants. It was like a small park. In the middle, there was a stage set up with many people watching around. Most were local residents. There were also Renzar, friends of Regt's family, and some colleagues from the wrestling federation. Closer to the stage, a lot of chakat puppies, some morphs, other little skunktaur and a couple of human children, watched expectantly the play that Esteban, along with Doren, Lilethe and other neighbors of the neighborhood, had put on for them.
"Look ... here it is," Natany said, sneaking up behind the stage. Upon arrival, they found Sorah along with other neighboring Chakats, putting the finishing touches on the red Santa Claus suit Regt had donned.
“Are you comfortable love?”
“Don't worry, Sorah. It's a little hot, but I'll survive. Surely, this gentleman who gave out gifts lived in a very cold place on planet Earth” said the Renzar with a smile before putting on a fake white beard.
“At the north pole. Esteban told us, do you remember?” Natany said upon arriving with the engineers.
“Hi guys. Good say you here” Sorah said with a smile.
“Señor Regthar. We are supposed to be your helpers. But I don't know what we should do yet” Jhonny said curiously.
“Oh! this is very simple son. You have to help me distribute all those toys that are there” replied renzar pointing to a table full of gifts for the children.
“Oh how cute! I'm liking Christmas!” Vera exclaimed excitedly, clasping her hands.
“Well, we must be attentive to the signal that they give us from the stage” Natany said in turn.
*
The children, sitting on the grass at the foot of the makeshift stage, enjoyed a puppet and pantomine show performed by Chakona artists and artisans. Then a couple of Chakonian musicians, including some neighbors, sang for everyone, songs from the Chakona tradition and some old Earth melodies, including some Christmas songs that Esteban suggested.
Later, it was Esteban's turn, who together with Lilethe, recreated the earthly history of what happened in Bethlehem. Doren, using his telekinesis, kept a small lamp suspended above the stage, representing the wandering star, while three chakat gave gifts to a newborn creature, lying on a pile of straw.
After that presentation, a thunderous laugh was heard behind the audience. The children watched what was happening with expectation. It was Regt, who was trying to imitate the typical Santa Claus laugh, but without much success. Around the edges of the stage, Santa's "helpers" also appeared, carrying sacks of gifts, which they began to distribute to the children. A great mess was created with the joy of the little ones as they received their gifts. The adults were happy. Esteban and Lilethe came down from the stage holding hands and thanked everyone for coming. Sorah, along with other neighbors, began to distribute small snacks and a soft, sweet drink to the adults. The atmosphere was one of great harmony, peace and joy. Especially when seeing the little ones so happy with their gifts.
In an instant the puppies were so excited to meet the "Santa Claus" of the story, that they rushed on Regtnar, making him fall to the ground, amid the laughter of all.
An elderly chakat, approached the stage from the crowd. She went directly to Esteban who was still next to Lilethe, greeting those present.
“I don't like what you do boy. Many centuries ago, the chakats left behind all the nefarious human culture and its beliefs. You don't have to come here to put the doctrines of your civilization into the heads of these children”

Esteban, and Lilethe, could not believe what they heard. The initial surprise gave way to sadness in Esteban's heart, who, lowering his head, only managed to say.
“I'm sorry, madam. I just wanted to bring some joy to the neighborhood kids. It was never my intention to disturb you or other neighbors. I'm really sorry, excuse me please” he added and then left the place.
Lilethe, noticing the pain that those words caused in Esteban, contained hys anger, so as not to ruin the moment. After taking a deep breath, she answered herself.
“Mrs. Vang. Look at the children. Don't you see how happy they are? While Christmas is not a Chakonian tradition, it is a beautiful tradition. Not everything humans bequeathed to us is bad. There are good things too...”
"Hmmm," replied the chakat, crossing his arms.
“Look. This is for you- Lilethe said suddenly taking a box that was on stage” Have a Merry Christmas” said the skunktaur with a smile, handing the present to the chakat.
“What's this?”
“Open it and you will see...”
*
“Hey! Easy kids! Everyone will have their gift” Jhonny said while he was surrounded by puppies, eager to receive his.
“This is wonderful” Commented one of the renzar, Regt's sports colleague... “What is this called?”
"Christmas, although I'm not sure," answered another who was accompanying him.
“Oh look. Here comes the boy from Regt, let's ask him” he said pointing to Esteban who was passing by.
“Hey boy! What's the name of all this?” Asked the stout Renzar with a deep voice.
“It's called Christmas. Did you like the show?” Esteban replied.
“Oh yes very nice.”
“Yes, very nice. My son is very happy among the other children. But tell me. Why is there a tree with lights and a star on the top?”
“And what is Regt's paunchy disguised as?”
“Well, the tree is a symbol that is put in every home”
“Do trees grow inside houses on your planet?”
“No...”
“And that such Santa, distributes gifts all over the planet? How does it move so fast? Does he work for the Star Federation? Why do we know Regtnar, and he couldn't do that” the renzar commented between laughter.
"Heh heh ... Well, something like that ... I'll explain later," Esteban replied as his gaze fell on a faint spot of light that could be seen at the other end of the street.
“Excuse me gentlemen” said the human with courtesy, and then he left the place. That luminosity was gradually taking shape in the middle of the night, so Esteban ran to see what it was about. As he reached the corner of the street, a familiar figure appeared before him.
“Ugkar !! What are you doing here” Exclaimed the boy with emotion.
"My ship went into orbit a few days ago, and teleportation did the rest, boy."
"I'm glad to see you!" Esteban said, pouncing on the newcomer, giving him a hug.
“Oh Ugkar. Your Federation uniform cannot hide your scent... You remind me so much of Vroeg...”
“I know kid. And seeing you, it also makes me think of him” replied the skunktaur.
“Come, Lilethe and Doren will be happy when they see you”
“No, forget it. I can't stay long. I came without permission from the grumpy Krim, so I must return soon. I promised the teleporter operator that I would bring him a drink of Grom if he would let me come heh heh"
“Heh heh that's fair. Then I'll call Lilethe on...”
“No boy. There will be time for others. Regarding Lilethe and Doren... I want to tell you that I am very glad that Doren is with you as well. Now they are both your clan. Take good care of them. And they will take care of you.”
“Of course. I still haven't gotten used to Doren's personality, but I think I'm on the right track" Esteban replied with a smile”
“Sometimes hy is impulsive, but you will get over it ha ha ha… Esteban, I came to see what was happening, because I noticed that a lot of things were going through your head lately. What's this? Did you bring a tradition from Earth to your family and friends?”
“I wanted to show them something good about my world”
“Good?.. From what I see, not everyone considers it that way”
“Yes Ugkar. I know. As a human, I must accept the prejudices of the chakats. I also suffered from yours, didn't I? I guess I'll have to live with it my whole life”
“Esteban, beliefs do not matter, what is important is the message. And that person that visited your planet 2350 years ago, he was right” reflected the skunktaur” If humanity had listened to his words, perhaps they would not have failed so much as a specie” Hy added.

“Well. It's time for me to go...”
“Ugkar... Will you visit us?” Esteban said excitedly.
“Of course boy. I must care my little brother”
“Thanks for coming... Merry Christmas Ugkar”
“Heh heh... Okay ... Merry Christmas to you too” replied the skunktaur giving the human a tight hug. Then, using hys communicator, hy exclaimed:

“Here Ugkar ready! Energize!” After which, his body began to dematerialize until it disappeared completely. Esteban, after a moment, turned to go back where all the neighbors were still celebrating. The children were already playing with their toys, while "Santa Claus" and his "helpers" rested sharing a drink. As he approached, step by step, Esteban realized that a chakat was slowly approaching him at a slow pace. Looking closer, the human noticed that the Taurus had tears in his eyes. She was the same neighbor that a while ago, he had criticized him. Without saying words, the chakat received him with a warm hug and Esteban responded in the same way.
“I'm... I'm sorry son. Forgive this old chakat... Sorry for what I told you a while ago” shi said between sobs, while from his hand hung a nice metallic pendant, which Lilethe had given hir in that box. In it, the phrase could be clearly read:
"Love your neighbor as yourself"
At that moment, the clock struck 12 at night. Christmas had already arrived.


(Art by  sethtriggs)