An Almost Christmas Story (2024) Movie Script
1
- [cheerful instrumental music playing]
- [sawing]
[hums]
Oh, hello there.
[chuckles] You caught me.
Well, you can't have Christmas
without a tree, right?
And you can't have a
tree without a forest,
which is where
this story begins.
Have you ever wondered what makes a
Christmas story a Christmas story?
I mean, some folks say if your
story is set during the holidays,
then bingo, there
you go. [chuckles]
Christmas spirit just rubs off
on it and that's all it takes.
But me, I think
there's something more.
You know how you feel
at this time of year.
A little bit happy,
a little bit sad.
Maybe you can't even
put it into words.
But if you try, maybe you
can put it into a song.
[sentimental folk music
playing, Ar Fol Lol Lol Lo]
Now this song I'm about to sing
Well, it's mostly nonsense.
But the parts that are not
nonsense, they mean quite a lot.
Ar fol lol lol lo la
ro ar fol lol lol lay
Ar fol lol lol lo la
ro ar fol lol lol lay
Ar fol lol lol lo la
ro ar fol lol lol lay
Fol lee fol o la ro
ar fol lol lol lay
There's lilt in the song I
sing There's laughter and love
[Moon] Whoo-hoo!
There's scent of
the pine and blue
[Moon] Yeah!
From heaven above
Of reason there's none And
why should there be for bye
[gasps]
As long as theres
fire in the blood
Shiny!
And a light in the eye
[Moon] Ha! Gotcha!
Ar fol lol lol lo la ro
[Moon] Whoops!
Ar fol lol lol lo la ro
[Moon] Whoo-hoo! Yeah!
Ar fol lol lol lo la ro
- Woo-hoo!
- [Papa Owl] No, no, no!
- [music ends abruptly]
- No, no... [sighs]
- Moon!
- Moon.
- Not again.
- Not again.
Did you see me?
I've never flown that
far on my own before.
- This was a perfect nest.
- [gentle instrumental music playing]
Now look at it! Look
look at this! I mean
You broke it.
Oh. Well, now we can
make it even better!
Look what I found.
Imagine, a silver nest.
At the top of the tallest tree,
wed be the talk of the forest.
A silver nest? Uh
Then everyone will look
at us. Everyone will see.
What's wrong with
people looking?
We are owls. [hesitates]
We aren't meant to be seen.
- Now come along and...
- But what if I want to be seen?
Do you also want to be eaten? All
the other creatures in the forest
want nothing more than
to make you their dinner.
- The mice don't.
- If they were bigger, they would.
- The sparrows don't. The...
- [hawk screeches]
- [shushes]
- What is it, Papa?
It was probably a leaf.
A big, scary leaf rustling in
the mild yet petrifying breeze!
Very funny, little Moon.
You think you know what's
out there in the world,
but [sighs] you have no idea.
- I have kind of an idea.
- [Papa Owl] Yeah, when you're grown,
you can make your silver
nest in any tree you like,
but it's getting cold now,
and we have no nest at all.
I need you to be a good brother
and stay here with Peaky while
I go look for a new home.
- Can you do that?
- Yes, Papa.
[sighs] Stay very
still, very quiet,
and don't go anywhere.
All right, I'll be back.
[sighs]
- I didn't mean to break it.
- But you did.
I bet I could fix it though.
- I just need a few good sticks.
- [playful instrumental music playing]
I could do it before Papa gets
back. It would be a surprise.
But Papa said we
have to stay here.
Don't worry, Peaky, I won't
go far. We're in a forest.
- There are sticks and twigs everywhere.
- Wait! Moon!
- I'll be right back!
- [music intensifies]
[Moon] Here's one.
That one might work.
This one's perfect!
- [gasps] Shiny!
- [bells chiming]
[breathes heavily]
- [hawk screeches]
- [moon screams]
- [tense orchestral music playing]
- [Moon screams, breathes heavily]
[Papa Owl] Go,
Moon, I've got him!
- Papa!
- [Papa Owl] Go!
[Moon screams, grunts]
- [breathing heavily]
- Are you okay?
- My wing, I think it's broken.
- [hawk screeches]
You're going to be fine,
just stay in the tree.
Stay in the tree. I'll be back.
[Moon] Yes, Papa.
Stay in the tree. Stay in
the tree. Stay in the tree.
Stay in the tree. Stay in the tree.
Stay in the tree. Stay in the tree.
Stay in the tree. Stay in
the tree. Stay in the tree.
- [music fades]
- [chainsaw revving]
- [lumberjack] Timber!
- [screams]
- [truck engine revving]
- [soft instrumental music playing]
- [indistinct chatter]
- [truck engine revving]
[lumberjack] Make way,
make way! We're moving.
Let's go. Come on,
come on, come on!
- [car horn blaring]
- [traffic rumbling]
- [groans]
- [music fades]
- [car horns honking]
- Huh?
[groaning]
[sentimental festive music
playing, "Carol of the Bells"]
Oh.
[indistinct chatter]
Steady. I got this,
I can do this.
What sort of forest is this?
[screams]
[yelps, screams]
- [water splashes]
- [Moon gargles, groans]
[gasps]
Excuse me!
Oh, Oh, Oh, no.
[screams] Whoa, whoa, whoa!
[groans]
[bystander 1] Miss,
are you all right?
- Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine.
- [bystander 2] Yeah, you really hit it.
- Is there someone that can take you home?
- Just leave me alone.
- I'm leaving. [grunts]
- [bystander 1] Well,
- can we walk you out?
- [Luna] It's fine.
- Why don't you come with me?
- [screams] Watch out!
[groans, breathes heavily]
[music fades]
Well, hello there. You're in
the wrong place, aren't you?
- Are you lost?
- [police officer clears throat]
Ah! Yes, sir.
Looks like I'm in the wrong place
too. Hey, you take care now.
These streets get a
little dicey and icy.
Hm.
- Food!
- [Moon gasps]
Food, food, food, food, food!
- I'll take that.
- Thank you very much.
- Food, food.
I'm sorry, I wasn't
going to eat it all.
- Well, well, well.
- What's going on here?
- Looks like we got a live one.
- Yeah, I'm alive.
- Food!
- No, I'm not food, sir.
What were you eating, kid?
Go back to where you belong.
I'm sorry. I was just
hoping I could get some
You know, I'm going to
stop you right there.
Uh, look, this is
trash, you see?
And trash is pigeon food,
not whatever you are food.
- Yeah, what are you anyway?
- I'm an owl.
- An owl?
- A little small to be an owl,
- don't you think?
- I I don't think you're an owl.
Owls are, you know, notoriously
significant beast creatures
of the sky at night.
- No, you're not an owl.
- I promise, I'm an owl.
- Food.
- No, no! I don't want your food.
- I just want to get...
- Well, you can't have it, so stop asking.
- I wasn't asking. I was talking...
- [Pat] For crying out loud.
You want Punt to starve, kid?
- He's starving!
- Food.
What chance has he to eat at
all if he isn't eating trash?
- He's so hungry.
- [Punt] Food, food!
Hey, what happened
to your wing anyhow?
Well, it was
- I got in a fight, and now it's bro...
- Oh, tough guy!
[chuckles] So now you think
you can fight us for it?
- Bad idea, kid.
- [Moon] Wait!
I didn't say that!
You said that!
I mean, it's three against one.
You really think you can take us?
- Terrible idea.
- No!
Okay, let's show 'em what we're
made of here at Rockefeller Plaza!
Aw, crap, here we go again.
- [dramatic orchestral music playing]
- [Punt] Food!
- Food, food, food, food, food, food.
- [breathes heavily]
[panting]
[Pelly] Over there.
- [Pat] Go, go, go!
- [Punt] Food!
[grunts]
[grunts]
[Pat] Hes headed down fifth!
[groans]
Hey there, little buddy.
- [Pelly] Gotcha!
- [Moon screams]
[Pelly] Hey, slow down.
We just wanna talk to you.
[Moon screaming]
[screams]
[groans, gasps]
[Pelly] Oh, we got you now!
[pants]
[train horn honking]
[grunts]
No, no, no, no, no! [screams]
[grunts, groans]
- [music fades]
- [pants]
- [Moon sighing]
- [gentle instrumental music playing]
- You again.
- You again.
- What is this thing?
- Hey there.
- What sort of forest do you live in?
- How'd you get so far from home?
Is it near here?
What happened to your wing?
- [gasps]
- Is it broken?
As if the holidays weren't
stressful enough already.
It's okay.
Come on, poor little guy.
There we go.
My name is Luna.
You have the kindest
face I've seen all day.
- My name is Moon.
- Do you have a name?
- Papa calls me "Little Moon."
- What should I call you?
Someday, I guess I'll be Big Moon.
But for now, I'm mostly just little.
You have a lot to say.
Oh. Is your leg supposed
to be like that?
[gentle acoustic music
playing, Its Christmas Today"]
When the Christmas
Spirit cannot be found
I've never been on the
train alone before.
We're right here,
but my mom and I live
down here somewhere.
I guess we could take
this train to this train.
But if I go back home,
she'll be mad at me.
- Hey! Hey, kid!
- [Luna] My dad lives up here
- [speaking indistinctly]
- This is not your place. This is my place.
- All of this.
- Yes, sir.
I've peed all over it.
- Okay.
- [Dave] Merry Christmas.
[Luna] And here's
Rockefeller Plaza.
- That's where we came from.
- Papa said to wait in the tree.
I just wanted to go skating.
You haven't seen a tree
around here, have you?
I used to think Christmas was
the best time to be in the city.
[Moon] I don't understand
this place at all.
I'd come here with my parents
to look at the windows
- and all the decorations.
- In my forest,
we had humans come to
us every now and again.
- I thought everyone seemed so happy.
- And my papa didn't like them.
But I would always give them
my best trick and they'd smile.
None of them look
like they do here.
Who knows? Maybe
they're not happy.
Maybe they're all
alone, like us,
- just waiting for Christmas to be
- [gasps]
- [cuckoo clock chiming]
- [Luna] Oh!
- What is it?
- I think it's my papa!
[cuckoo clock chiming]
It's just a clock.
Are you okay?
You aren't, are you?
Well, neither am I.
But I am hungry.
- What about you?
- You're saying food?
- You know. Eating? Food?
- I could eat food.
Come?
I like worms, insects,
grubs, or small mice.
Do you have any of those?
This is all five bucks will
get you in New York City.
- Pretty good though, don't you think?
- This is the worst food I've ever eaten.
But you're very kind
to hunt it for me.
You remind me of
my dog, you know?
You've got the same eyes.
You look like you understand.
You're pointing to your
heart? You love me?
I don't know you well, but
I think I love you too.
Sorry, it's really
starting to hurt.
That might be the coolest
thing I've ever seen.
I can turn my head
all the way around.
Not as good as the
leg, but something.
[sighs] We're quite
a pair, aren't we?
[gentle acoustic
music continues]
on Christmas
- There it is!
- [Luna] What is it?
[Moon] The tree, the
tree! Look, look!
- What are you trying to say?
- That's where I need to go!
- [Luna] Wait!
- That's the tree!
- [Luna] Come back.
- That's the tree!
- [Luna] Slow down.
- Papa said to stay in the tree.
- Stop!
- [Moon panting]
- I'm not as fast as you!
- [Moon] Its getting away!
- [car honks]
- [Luna] Wait, I can't keep up!
[Moon] Oh, no!
[Luna] Stop!
- [Moon] It's gone.
- [Luna panting]
[gentle acoustic
music continues]
- I wanna go home.
- I wanna go home.
- [string snaps]
- [music stops]
Huh?
Guess it's broken.
Oh well, that hasn't
ever stopped me before.
In the bleak midwinter
Frosty wind made moan
Earth stood hard as iron
Water like a stone
Snow had fallen,
snow on snow
[Pat] Well, well, well.
- Look who it is.
- We thought we'd lost you.
- Food.
- Go away!
You're just a bunch of loud bullies,
and we don't want your trash!
We're lost and we
just want to get home.
- Yeah, for Christmas.
- Yeah, for Christmas. Whatever that is.
- Did I just hear you?
- Did you just hear me?
Ah
- For the Christmas, huh.
- Home is a good place to be on Christmas.
- Wish we had a home.
- We do have a home.
Oh, yeah, that's right.
We do, the streets.
- Food.
- What do you think, boss? Should we?
I guess we could show you the way back,
you know, if you, uh, really wanted.
- You would?
- Yeah.
- Think of it as a welcome present.
- To the Big Apple!
- Apples have worms in them.
- They do, that's the yummy part.
- Come on.
- But my wing's broken, I can't fly.
Fly? You think we fly?
You're nuts, kid. Come on!
[whimsical instrumental
music playing]
Oh, yeah.
- This is more like it.
- I do wish I brought my scarf.
You didn't think we were actually going
to fly all the way there, did you?
[Pelly] We're pigeons,
give us some credit.
Shiny.
[uplifting festive
music playing]
- There it is, there it is, there it is!
- Wait, let me help you!
I've got to get to the top
before my papa gets here.
Huh? Okay, what?
We're running now?
Just stop. This is
completely out of line.
Everyone stop.
Stop running. Stop, stop!
- [Moon] Come on!
- [Dave] This is unacceptable!
- [Moon] This way! There it is, come on!
- [Dave] Woof, woof, woof.
Oh, for Pete's sake.
[staff member] Hey,
no animals on the ice!
I can do this. I can do this.
I can do this. I can do this!
I got you!
Fly!
- [Moon panting]
- [gasps]
Hold on tight, little
guy. I got you!
- Woo-hoo!
- [music intensifies]
- Yes!
- Yeah!
- Holy mackerel!
- Merry Christmas, kid!
Fly high, you brave little owl!
Huh.
It's a pretty good view
from up here, isn't it?
[Moon] Yeah.
I don't see Papa though. Do
you think he'll ever find me?
Well maybe. Maybe not.
But hey, look at all
those people out there
with good cheer in their
hearts and whatnot.
Maybe they can
help you find him.
Merry Christmas, kid.
"Merry Christmas?"
[soft instrumental
music playing]
So, what do you think? What makes
this story a Christmas story?
- Is it the tree?
- [light switch flicks]
- The snow?
- [light switch flicks]
- The light in the darkness?
- [light switch flicks]
Or maybe it's that feeling
where you didn't quite
get what you wanted,
but deep down, you know
even one tiny candle
can make things a little
brighter and a little warmer.
- Maybe it's all those things.
- [gentle acoustic music playing]
- Or maybe it's this.
- Excuse me, sir?
There's a little owl in that tree
who needs to find his family.
That's the spirit
of Christmas
And I need to find mine too.
Bringing holiday cheer
[firefighter] Come on, little
fella. You are very far from home.
I have to stay here. I
have to wait for my papa.
- I'm going to...
- [firefighter] Don't worry.
- We'll get you back to your family.
- [Moon] Oh.
- This is very warm.
- [music intensifies]
Making space in the manger
Making time, taking part
That's the spirit
of Christmas
That's the spirit
of Christmas
Offering peace to
the whole wide world
Every boy, every girl
That's the spirit
of Christmas
It's okay, you can go.
That's the spirit
of Christmas
Goodwill towards all
And peace on earth
[cheers]
[uplifting orchestral
music playing]
- Papa!
- [Papa] Moon?
Papa!
- [Papa] Moon, where have you been?
- [Peaky] Moon!
- [Papa] I looked I I looked...
- Merry Christmas, Papa!
- "Christmas?"
- "Christmas?"
- What's Christmas?
- What's Christmas?
I don't actually
know, but I think
[sentimental folk music
playing, Ar Fol Lol Lol Lo]
it's what this is.
[folk singer] You're
right, Little Moon.
It's what this is.
Ar fol lol lol lo la
ro ar fol lol lol lay
Ar fol lol lol lo la
ro ar fol lol lol lay
Ar fol lol lol lo la
ro ar fol lol lol lay
Fol lee fol o la ro
ar fol lol lol lay
Theres lilt in the song I
sing Theres laughter and love
Theres scent of the pine
and blue from heaven above
Of reason theres none And
why should there be for bye
As long as theres fire in the
blood and a light in the eye
Ar fol lol lol lo la
ro ar fol lol lol lay
Ar fol lol lol lo la
ro ar fol lol lol lay
Ar fol lol lol lo la
ro ar fol lol lol lay
Fol lee fol o la ro
ar fol lol lol lay
The forest is soft with
snow The maple is sweet
Theres song in the air The
roads a song at our feet
So, step it along as light
as a bird on the wing
And while we are stepping
Join our voices and sing
Ar fol lol lol lo la
ro ar fol lol lol lay
Ar fol lol lol lo la
ro ar fol lol lol lay
Ar fol lol lol lo la
ro ar fol lol lol lay
Fol lee fol o la ro
ar fol lol lol lay
And whether the bird be
highland, lowland or no
And whether the wings be
black or white as the snow
Of kith and of kin, were
one Be it right, be it wrong
As long as our voices
join the chorus of song
Ar fol lol lol lo la
ro ar fol lol lol lay
Ar fol lol lol lo la
ro ar fol lol lol lay
Ar fol lol lol lo la
ro ar fol lol lol lay
Fol lee fol o la ro
Ar fol lol lol lay
[music concludes]
- [cheerful instrumental music playing]
- [sawing]
[hums]
Oh, hello there.
[chuckles] You caught me.
Well, you can't have Christmas
without a tree, right?
And you can't have a
tree without a forest,
which is where
this story begins.
Have you ever wondered what makes a
Christmas story a Christmas story?
I mean, some folks say if your
story is set during the holidays,
then bingo, there
you go. [chuckles]
Christmas spirit just rubs off
on it and that's all it takes.
But me, I think
there's something more.
You know how you feel
at this time of year.
A little bit happy,
a little bit sad.
Maybe you can't even
put it into words.
But if you try, maybe you
can put it into a song.
[sentimental folk music
playing, Ar Fol Lol Lol Lo]
Now this song I'm about to sing
Well, it's mostly nonsense.
But the parts that are not
nonsense, they mean quite a lot.
Ar fol lol lol lo la
ro ar fol lol lol lay
Ar fol lol lol lo la
ro ar fol lol lol lay
Ar fol lol lol lo la
ro ar fol lol lol lay
Fol lee fol o la ro
ar fol lol lol lay
There's lilt in the song I
sing There's laughter and love
[Moon] Whoo-hoo!
There's scent of
the pine and blue
[Moon] Yeah!
From heaven above
Of reason there's none And
why should there be for bye
[gasps]
As long as theres
fire in the blood
Shiny!
And a light in the eye
[Moon] Ha! Gotcha!
Ar fol lol lol lo la ro
[Moon] Whoops!
Ar fol lol lol lo la ro
[Moon] Whoo-hoo! Yeah!
Ar fol lol lol lo la ro
- Woo-hoo!
- [Papa Owl] No, no, no!
- [music ends abruptly]
- No, no... [sighs]
- Moon!
- Moon.
- Not again.
- Not again.
Did you see me?
I've never flown that
far on my own before.
- This was a perfect nest.
- [gentle instrumental music playing]
Now look at it! Look
look at this! I mean
You broke it.
Oh. Well, now we can
make it even better!
Look what I found.
Imagine, a silver nest.
At the top of the tallest tree,
wed be the talk of the forest.
A silver nest? Uh
Then everyone will look
at us. Everyone will see.
What's wrong with
people looking?
We are owls. [hesitates]
We aren't meant to be seen.
- Now come along and...
- But what if I want to be seen?
Do you also want to be eaten? All
the other creatures in the forest
want nothing more than
to make you their dinner.
- The mice don't.
- If they were bigger, they would.
- The sparrows don't. The...
- [hawk screeches]
- [shushes]
- What is it, Papa?
It was probably a leaf.
A big, scary leaf rustling in
the mild yet petrifying breeze!
Very funny, little Moon.
You think you know what's
out there in the world,
but [sighs] you have no idea.
- I have kind of an idea.
- [Papa Owl] Yeah, when you're grown,
you can make your silver
nest in any tree you like,
but it's getting cold now,
and we have no nest at all.
I need you to be a good brother
and stay here with Peaky while
I go look for a new home.
- Can you do that?
- Yes, Papa.
[sighs] Stay very
still, very quiet,
and don't go anywhere.
All right, I'll be back.
[sighs]
- I didn't mean to break it.
- But you did.
I bet I could fix it though.
- I just need a few good sticks.
- [playful instrumental music playing]
I could do it before Papa gets
back. It would be a surprise.
But Papa said we
have to stay here.
Don't worry, Peaky, I won't
go far. We're in a forest.
- There are sticks and twigs everywhere.
- Wait! Moon!
- I'll be right back!
- [music intensifies]
[Moon] Here's one.
That one might work.
This one's perfect!
- [gasps] Shiny!
- [bells chiming]
[breathes heavily]
- [hawk screeches]
- [moon screams]
- [tense orchestral music playing]
- [Moon screams, breathes heavily]
[Papa Owl] Go,
Moon, I've got him!
- Papa!
- [Papa Owl] Go!
[Moon screams, grunts]
- [breathing heavily]
- Are you okay?
- My wing, I think it's broken.
- [hawk screeches]
You're going to be fine,
just stay in the tree.
Stay in the tree. I'll be back.
[Moon] Yes, Papa.
Stay in the tree. Stay in
the tree. Stay in the tree.
Stay in the tree. Stay in the tree.
Stay in the tree. Stay in the tree.
Stay in the tree. Stay in
the tree. Stay in the tree.
- [music fades]
- [chainsaw revving]
- [lumberjack] Timber!
- [screams]
- [truck engine revving]
- [soft instrumental music playing]
- [indistinct chatter]
- [truck engine revving]
[lumberjack] Make way,
make way! We're moving.
Let's go. Come on,
come on, come on!
- [car horn blaring]
- [traffic rumbling]
- [groans]
- [music fades]
- [car horns honking]
- Huh?
[groaning]
[sentimental festive music
playing, "Carol of the Bells"]
Oh.
[indistinct chatter]
Steady. I got this,
I can do this.
What sort of forest is this?
[screams]
[yelps, screams]
- [water splashes]
- [Moon gargles, groans]
[gasps]
Excuse me!
Oh, Oh, Oh, no.
[screams] Whoa, whoa, whoa!
[groans]
[bystander 1] Miss,
are you all right?
- Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine.
- [bystander 2] Yeah, you really hit it.
- Is there someone that can take you home?
- Just leave me alone.
- I'm leaving. [grunts]
- [bystander 1] Well,
- can we walk you out?
- [Luna] It's fine.
- Why don't you come with me?
- [screams] Watch out!
[groans, breathes heavily]
[music fades]
Well, hello there. You're in
the wrong place, aren't you?
- Are you lost?
- [police officer clears throat]
Ah! Yes, sir.
Looks like I'm in the wrong place
too. Hey, you take care now.
These streets get a
little dicey and icy.
Hm.
- Food!
- [Moon gasps]
Food, food, food, food, food!
- I'll take that.
- Thank you very much.
- Food, food.
I'm sorry, I wasn't
going to eat it all.
- Well, well, well.
- What's going on here?
- Looks like we got a live one.
- Yeah, I'm alive.
- Food!
- No, I'm not food, sir.
What were you eating, kid?
Go back to where you belong.
I'm sorry. I was just
hoping I could get some
You know, I'm going to
stop you right there.
Uh, look, this is
trash, you see?
And trash is pigeon food,
not whatever you are food.
- Yeah, what are you anyway?
- I'm an owl.
- An owl?
- A little small to be an owl,
- don't you think?
- I I don't think you're an owl.
Owls are, you know, notoriously
significant beast creatures
of the sky at night.
- No, you're not an owl.
- I promise, I'm an owl.
- Food.
- No, no! I don't want your food.
- I just want to get...
- Well, you can't have it, so stop asking.
- I wasn't asking. I was talking...
- [Pat] For crying out loud.
You want Punt to starve, kid?
- He's starving!
- Food.
What chance has he to eat at
all if he isn't eating trash?
- He's so hungry.
- [Punt] Food, food!
Hey, what happened
to your wing anyhow?
Well, it was
- I got in a fight, and now it's bro...
- Oh, tough guy!
[chuckles] So now you think
you can fight us for it?
- Bad idea, kid.
- [Moon] Wait!
I didn't say that!
You said that!
I mean, it's three against one.
You really think you can take us?
- Terrible idea.
- No!
Okay, let's show 'em what we're
made of here at Rockefeller Plaza!
Aw, crap, here we go again.
- [dramatic orchestral music playing]
- [Punt] Food!
- Food, food, food, food, food, food.
- [breathes heavily]
[panting]
[Pelly] Over there.
- [Pat] Go, go, go!
- [Punt] Food!
[grunts]
[grunts]
[Pat] Hes headed down fifth!
[groans]
Hey there, little buddy.
- [Pelly] Gotcha!
- [Moon screams]
[Pelly] Hey, slow down.
We just wanna talk to you.
[Moon screaming]
[screams]
[groans, gasps]
[Pelly] Oh, we got you now!
[pants]
[train horn honking]
[grunts]
No, no, no, no, no! [screams]
[grunts, groans]
- [music fades]
- [pants]
- [Moon sighing]
- [gentle instrumental music playing]
- You again.
- You again.
- What is this thing?
- Hey there.
- What sort of forest do you live in?
- How'd you get so far from home?
Is it near here?
What happened to your wing?
- [gasps]
- Is it broken?
As if the holidays weren't
stressful enough already.
It's okay.
Come on, poor little guy.
There we go.
My name is Luna.
You have the kindest
face I've seen all day.
- My name is Moon.
- Do you have a name?
- Papa calls me "Little Moon."
- What should I call you?
Someday, I guess I'll be Big Moon.
But for now, I'm mostly just little.
You have a lot to say.
Oh. Is your leg supposed
to be like that?
[gentle acoustic music
playing, Its Christmas Today"]
When the Christmas
Spirit cannot be found
I've never been on the
train alone before.
We're right here,
but my mom and I live
down here somewhere.
I guess we could take
this train to this train.
But if I go back home,
she'll be mad at me.
- Hey! Hey, kid!
- [Luna] My dad lives up here
- [speaking indistinctly]
- This is not your place. This is my place.
- All of this.
- Yes, sir.
I've peed all over it.
- Okay.
- [Dave] Merry Christmas.
[Luna] And here's
Rockefeller Plaza.
- That's where we came from.
- Papa said to wait in the tree.
I just wanted to go skating.
You haven't seen a tree
around here, have you?
I used to think Christmas was
the best time to be in the city.
[Moon] I don't understand
this place at all.
I'd come here with my parents
to look at the windows
- and all the decorations.
- In my forest,
we had humans come to
us every now and again.
- I thought everyone seemed so happy.
- And my papa didn't like them.
But I would always give them
my best trick and they'd smile.
None of them look
like they do here.
Who knows? Maybe
they're not happy.
Maybe they're all
alone, like us,
- just waiting for Christmas to be
- [gasps]
- [cuckoo clock chiming]
- [Luna] Oh!
- What is it?
- I think it's my papa!
[cuckoo clock chiming]
It's just a clock.
Are you okay?
You aren't, are you?
Well, neither am I.
But I am hungry.
- What about you?
- You're saying food?
- You know. Eating? Food?
- I could eat food.
Come?
I like worms, insects,
grubs, or small mice.
Do you have any of those?
This is all five bucks will
get you in New York City.
- Pretty good though, don't you think?
- This is the worst food I've ever eaten.
But you're very kind
to hunt it for me.
You remind me of
my dog, you know?
You've got the same eyes.
You look like you understand.
You're pointing to your
heart? You love me?
I don't know you well, but
I think I love you too.
Sorry, it's really
starting to hurt.
That might be the coolest
thing I've ever seen.
I can turn my head
all the way around.
Not as good as the
leg, but something.
[sighs] We're quite
a pair, aren't we?
[gentle acoustic
music continues]
on Christmas
- There it is!
- [Luna] What is it?
[Moon] The tree, the
tree! Look, look!
- What are you trying to say?
- That's where I need to go!
- [Luna] Wait!
- That's the tree!
- [Luna] Come back.
- That's the tree!
- [Luna] Slow down.
- Papa said to stay in the tree.
- Stop!
- [Moon panting]
- I'm not as fast as you!
- [Moon] Its getting away!
- [car honks]
- [Luna] Wait, I can't keep up!
[Moon] Oh, no!
[Luna] Stop!
- [Moon] It's gone.
- [Luna panting]
[gentle acoustic
music continues]
- I wanna go home.
- I wanna go home.
- [string snaps]
- [music stops]
Huh?
Guess it's broken.
Oh well, that hasn't
ever stopped me before.
In the bleak midwinter
Frosty wind made moan
Earth stood hard as iron
Water like a stone
Snow had fallen,
snow on snow
[Pat] Well, well, well.
- Look who it is.
- We thought we'd lost you.
- Food.
- Go away!
You're just a bunch of loud bullies,
and we don't want your trash!
We're lost and we
just want to get home.
- Yeah, for Christmas.
- Yeah, for Christmas. Whatever that is.
- Did I just hear you?
- Did you just hear me?
Ah
- For the Christmas, huh.
- Home is a good place to be on Christmas.
- Wish we had a home.
- We do have a home.
Oh, yeah, that's right.
We do, the streets.
- Food.
- What do you think, boss? Should we?
I guess we could show you the way back,
you know, if you, uh, really wanted.
- You would?
- Yeah.
- Think of it as a welcome present.
- To the Big Apple!
- Apples have worms in them.
- They do, that's the yummy part.
- Come on.
- But my wing's broken, I can't fly.
Fly? You think we fly?
You're nuts, kid. Come on!
[whimsical instrumental
music playing]
Oh, yeah.
- This is more like it.
- I do wish I brought my scarf.
You didn't think we were actually going
to fly all the way there, did you?
[Pelly] We're pigeons,
give us some credit.
Shiny.
[uplifting festive
music playing]
- There it is, there it is, there it is!
- Wait, let me help you!
I've got to get to the top
before my papa gets here.
Huh? Okay, what?
We're running now?
Just stop. This is
completely out of line.
Everyone stop.
Stop running. Stop, stop!
- [Moon] Come on!
- [Dave] This is unacceptable!
- [Moon] This way! There it is, come on!
- [Dave] Woof, woof, woof.
Oh, for Pete's sake.
[staff member] Hey,
no animals on the ice!
I can do this. I can do this.
I can do this. I can do this!
I got you!
Fly!
- [Moon panting]
- [gasps]
Hold on tight, little
guy. I got you!
- Woo-hoo!
- [music intensifies]
- Yes!
- Yeah!
- Holy mackerel!
- Merry Christmas, kid!
Fly high, you brave little owl!
Huh.
It's a pretty good view
from up here, isn't it?
[Moon] Yeah.
I don't see Papa though. Do
you think he'll ever find me?
Well maybe. Maybe not.
But hey, look at all
those people out there
with good cheer in their
hearts and whatnot.
Maybe they can
help you find him.
Merry Christmas, kid.
"Merry Christmas?"
[soft instrumental
music playing]
So, what do you think? What makes
this story a Christmas story?
- Is it the tree?
- [light switch flicks]
- The snow?
- [light switch flicks]
- The light in the darkness?
- [light switch flicks]
Or maybe it's that feeling
where you didn't quite
get what you wanted,
but deep down, you know
even one tiny candle
can make things a little
brighter and a little warmer.
- Maybe it's all those things.
- [gentle acoustic music playing]
- Or maybe it's this.
- Excuse me, sir?
There's a little owl in that tree
who needs to find his family.
That's the spirit
of Christmas
And I need to find mine too.
Bringing holiday cheer
[firefighter] Come on, little
fella. You are very far from home.
I have to stay here. I
have to wait for my papa.
- I'm going to...
- [firefighter] Don't worry.
- We'll get you back to your family.
- [Moon] Oh.
- This is very warm.
- [music intensifies]
Making space in the manger
Making time, taking part
That's the spirit
of Christmas
That's the spirit
of Christmas
Offering peace to
the whole wide world
Every boy, every girl
That's the spirit
of Christmas
It's okay, you can go.
That's the spirit
of Christmas
Goodwill towards all
And peace on earth
[cheers]
[uplifting orchestral
music playing]
- Papa!
- [Papa] Moon?
Papa!
- [Papa] Moon, where have you been?
- [Peaky] Moon!
- [Papa] I looked I I looked...
- Merry Christmas, Papa!
- "Christmas?"
- "Christmas?"
- What's Christmas?
- What's Christmas?
I don't actually
know, but I think
[sentimental folk music
playing, Ar Fol Lol Lol Lo]
it's what this is.
[folk singer] You're
right, Little Moon.
It's what this is.
Ar fol lol lol lo la
ro ar fol lol lol lay
Ar fol lol lol lo la
ro ar fol lol lol lay
Ar fol lol lol lo la
ro ar fol lol lol lay
Fol lee fol o la ro
ar fol lol lol lay
Theres lilt in the song I
sing Theres laughter and love
Theres scent of the pine
and blue from heaven above
Of reason theres none And
why should there be for bye
As long as theres fire in the
blood and a light in the eye
Ar fol lol lol lo la
ro ar fol lol lol lay
Ar fol lol lol lo la
ro ar fol lol lol lay
Ar fol lol lol lo la
ro ar fol lol lol lay
Fol lee fol o la ro
ar fol lol lol lay
The forest is soft with
snow The maple is sweet
Theres song in the air The
roads a song at our feet
So, step it along as light
as a bird on the wing
And while we are stepping
Join our voices and sing
Ar fol lol lol lo la
ro ar fol lol lol lay
Ar fol lol lol lo la
ro ar fol lol lol lay
Ar fol lol lol lo la
ro ar fol lol lol lay
Fol lee fol o la ro
ar fol lol lol lay
And whether the bird be
highland, lowland or no
And whether the wings be
black or white as the snow
Of kith and of kin, were
one Be it right, be it wrong
As long as our voices
join the chorus of song
Ar fol lol lol lo la
ro ar fol lol lol lay
Ar fol lol lol lo la
ro ar fol lol lol lay
Ar fol lol lol lo la
ro ar fol lol lol lay
Fol lee fol o la ro
Ar fol lol lol lay
[music concludes]