A new hat for Dusty the mailman

The snow is quiet and beautiful. It is almost nighttime, and Dusty is enjoying an early evening stroll. The falling snow has ended for the time being. Now all the newly fallen snow, begins to freeze in the sub-zero temperature of the night. Soon the wind will be blowing, and more snow will begin falling. In fact, the chances are good that a blizzard is in the works.

With this in mind, Dusty quickens his pace. He loves snow of all kinds, and at any time. But he especially loves a good blizzard. Even delivering the mail is exciting when there is snow on the ground. Therefore, he keeps walking his route. Besides, this is how he prefers doing his job. He feels closer to the people on the route. And he enjoys the occasional conversations he has with them.

The snow continues to fall as he walks his route. It doesn’t really occur to him, until later, that he might get stranded out here. He feels lost in his thoughts as he methodically delivers the day’s mail. For ten years he’s been walking these same neighborhoods. Everyday, learning the names of the neighbors, and keeping up with all the latest news. It was a wonderful life, until he had the dream. The dream changed everything.

A New Hat for Dusty

He’s been standing in this spot, looking at the Bixbee’s house, for what feels like hours now. They are a nice couple who moved here from Wisconsin. The funny thing is he can’t remember how he got here. Which is strange because he never forgets anything.

Except that’s not entirely true. He can’t remember the dream. It changed everything, and he knows it is of monumental importance, but it’s a blank page in his memory. Additionally, he feels certain that the Bixbee’s will be out here any second, asking questions about his being here so late. In their yard no less.

All the kids are outside playing, and running in circles around Dusty. And singing little tunes. It did occur to him that it’s strange. However, he felt certain they were all running to get their parents (the Bixbees) when they ran inside the house. Therefore, he was slightly confused when only the kids came rushing back outside.

Dusty the Mailman

He watches the kids come running out from the front door. He has delivered mail to each of their families throughout the years. They are throwing snow balls, and singing about the holidays. Dusty expects the parents will be along any second. Then the embarrassing questions would start.

The kids begin dancing around him. He is still confused, and feels even more unusual when a hat is placed on his head. Furthermore, they don’t say a word to him. They just circled around him, and chattered like kids do. Then they went back inside. Once again, he is standing here in the Bixbee’s yard, alone.

However, a curious thing has happened. Now he can move. Yet he is covered in snow. Of course that makes sense, because he has been standing outside for the last few hours. He decides he should get back home. He’s not cold, by any means. Which is strange because he is so completely covered with snow that he can’t even see his feet.

A New Hat

Chip takes off his gloves and coat. Next he gets rid of his snow boots. Won’t be needing those again until tomorrow. His brothers already started eating their dinner, and Chip doesn’t want to miss out. After all, he is ravenous and the food goes quick. And they spent all day making that snow man. It was the biggest snowman Chip and his brothers had ever made.

As he makes his way to the dinner table, he stops by a window for a quick look at their handy work. And Chip freezes. He looks long and hard, but there is nothing to see, because their snowman is gone.

---

Thank you for reading! Like, follow and share The Frog Journal on X @1finja1 – and on The Frog Journal Facebook page click here. Subscribe to the free newsletter to stay up to date on new content and updates.

A New Hat