The Chocolate Nicholas
by Aaron Aaronsen
The chocolaterie was buzzing with activity as Monti J. Monti hurried downstairs, the smell of cocoa filling the air. It was St. Nicholas Day, one of the busiest days of the year for his family. His parents were hard at work crafting chocolate St. Nicholas figures, carefully pouring melted chocolate into molds and decorating them with intricate details.
Monti adjusted his red-and-white beanie and grinned. “Papa, can I help make a chocolate Nicholas this year? I’m ready!”
His dad, standing over a pot of melted chocolate, smiled. “Of course, Monti. But you have to remember, making chocolate takes patience. If you rush, it won’t turn out right.”
Monti nodded eagerly, bouncing on his toes. He had watched his parents do this a hundred times. How hard could it be?
Monti’s dad handed him a mold shaped like St. Nicholas and a ladle of warm, melted chocolate. “First, pour the chocolate slowly into the mold. Not too fast, or it will overflow. Then, we let it cool until it sets—don’t touch it until it’s ready.”
Monti scooped up some chocolate and poured it into the mold. But instead of taking his time, he tipped the ladle quickly, spilling some chocolate onto the counter. “Oops,” he muttered, but he kept going.
Once the mold was full, Monti stared at it impatiently. The chocolate was shiny and smelled delicious, and he couldn’t wait to see the final figure. He tapped his fingers on the counter and decided he had waited long enough. Carefully, he flipped the mold over to release the chocolate.
CRACK.
Monti’s face fell as the chocolate St. Nicholas broke in half. The details of the figure were smudged, and tiny pieces crumbled onto the counter.
His dad walked over and looked at the mess. “What happened, Monti?”
“I… I didn’t wait long enough,” Monti admitted, his cheeks turning red.
His dad nodded. “I know it’s hard, but chocolate needs time to cool and set. If you rush, it will crack, just like this. Do you want to try again?”
Monti hesitated, but then he nodded. “Yes. I’ll do it right this time.”
His dad handed him another mold and a fresh ladle of chocolate. “Okay. This time, remember—slow and steady. And no touching the mold until it’s completely ready.”
Monti poured the chocolate slowly, watching it flow smoothly into the mold. He wiped away the small drips on the edges and set the mold down carefully. Then came the hardest part—waiting.
As the minutes ticked by, Monti tried to distract himself by humming a tune and arranging candy canes on the counter. He glanced at the mold several times, tempted to check if the chocolate was ready, but he held back.
Finally, his dad came over and touched the mold lightly. “Now it’s ready. You can remove it.”
Monti took a deep breath and gently flipped the mold over. This time, the chocolate St. Nicholas slid out perfectly. The figure stood tall, with a detailed robe, a kind face, and a tiny staff in hand.
Monti’s eyes lit up. “It worked! It’s perfect!”
His dad patted him on the back. “See what happens when you’re patient? It makes all the difference.”
Later that afternoon, Monti carefully wrapped the chocolate St. Nicholas in shiny gold foil and tied it with a red ribbon. He had decided to give it to Leo, who had been feeling left out after missing the St. Nicholas festivities at school.
When Monti knocked on Leo’s door and handed him the chocolate, Leo’s face lit up. “Wow, Monti! Did you make this?”
Monti nodded proudly. “I did. It took a while, but it was worth it.”
As Monti walked home through the snowy streets, he thought about the lesson he had learned. Patience wasn’t just about waiting—it was about giving things the time they needed to be their best. And sometimes, the reward wasn’t just in what you made but in the joy of sharing it with someone else.
With a smile on his face, Monti headed back to the chocolaterie, ready to help his parents finish the rest of the St. Nicholas orders, one careful step at a time.
Welcome to the Zaubertales Advent Calendar 2024. This Christmas season, we are sharing the magical world of Monti J. Monti, our curious and courageous little hero. Each day in December brings a new short story filled with heartwarming adventures, meaningful lessons, and a touch of festive magic.
Our series is more than a collection of stories. It is an opportunity and invitation to join us in shaping Monti’s journey. As the stories unfold, we encourage you to share your thoughts and ideas. What challenges should Monti face next? What should Monti’s world look like? What inspires you about his character? Together, we will create a hero who reflects the creativity and kindness of the Zaubertales community.
Zaubertales is dedicated to crafting stories that bring joy and learning to children and families. Through Monti’s adventures, we inspire laughter, spark meaningful conversations, and nurture imagination. Whether you read these stories during quiet evenings or share them as a family, they are designed to add wonder and delight to this special time of year.
We are thrilled to bring you this interactive storytelling experience. Let’s make this December a memorable celebration of joy, discovery, and the true spirit of Christmas.
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