Zasha is questing! Episode 1/25

"Yes mom! Okay mom! I'll definitely make it this time. Bye bye and see you soon." Aiden put down the phone after chatting with his mom for almost 2 hours.

2 years! 2 years! It's been 2 years since I went home to visit my family, he thought to himself, this will definitely be a Christmas Journey to remember. Just as he was planning his trip back home, his super nice neighbour Zasha showed up and asked what he's planning for Xmas. A light bulb literally lit up in his mind and he asked if Zasha wanted to join him on his journey home. Zasha smiled so wide and without hesitation just said “Yes! And those cookies look so yummy". So Aiden invited Zasha in to enjoy the cookies.

Zasha is questing! Episode 2/25

As they sat down to enjoy the cookies, Aiden started to tell Zasha what Christmas meant to him. "Christmas to me is a celebration, which includes spending time with my family, decorating the entire house, inside and out, and shopping for the people I love. Doing this with the people I love is what means the most to me..." said Aiden to Zasha.
"Spending Christmas with my family is very important to me. We usually gather and celebrate at my parent's house. This time it'll be super special because I get to introduce my special pet Dot to everyone and I totally want it to be a surprise!," he added.
Zasha gets excited from all the stories and is so looking forward to the trip. After all the excitement died down, they promised to meet in the morning to do some shopping before taking the trip on the day after.

Zasha is questing! Episode 3/25

That night while he slept, he dreamt of his house and what he would do once he got there. He clearly saw everyone gathered to decorate the house and tree. Then spending the day baking cookies, making fudge and preparing a big Christmas dinner, with all the trimmings.
Dot slept soundly by his side, maybe dreaming too.

Zasha is questing! Episode 4/25

What a great day to go shopping. I am not usually a shopper, but during the Christmas season, I actually enjoy shopping. I rarely go into department stores, but during the Christmas season, I love to shop. The stores are so beautifully decorated and very festive. I can easily get carried away with the mood. I can just picture the look on the faces of my family and that brings me so much joy. Zasha joined Aiden and decided to get something for everyone too. “It will be a surprise,” he thought to himself.
They promised to meet up at the car after 3 hours so they could go back together.

Zasha is questing! Episode 5/25

Aiden dropped by the bakery to get more of those scrumptious Christmas cookies for his family and also for snacking in the car during the trip. It smelled so good inside the bakery and one would not want to leave so soon. Pets were not allowed to enter so Dot stayed by the door. The shop background music was full of joyous Christmas songs and Aiden couldn't help but sing along to the tune!
Dashing through the snow
In a one-horse open sleigh
O’er the fields we go
Laughing all the way
Bells on bobtails ring
Making spirits bright
What fun it is to ride and sing
A sleighing song tonight

Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh, hey

La la la, la la la....

Zasha is questing! Episode 6/25

Aiden and Zasha met up at the car and just next to it was a cafe, so they decided to have an ice cream before heading home.
The cafe's jukebox was playing some famous Christmas songs and both of them sang along while enjoying their ice cream and smoothies. Even Dot was treated to a smoothie too.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year
With the kids jingle belling
And everyone telling you be of good cheer
It’s the most wonderful time of the year

It’s the hap-happiest season of all
With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings
When friends come to call
It’s the hap-happiest season of all

Zasha is questing! Episode 7/25

After all the shopping was completed, everyone went home to rest. While packing, Aiden got nostalgic and started to put on his Christmas songs playlist and hit the play button!
Suddenly Nat King Cole's rendition of The Christmas Song started to fill the room...
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos

And so I'm offering this simple phrase
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although it's been said many times, many ways
Merry Christmas to you!

“I wonder if people really roasted their chestnut on an open fire?” thought Aiden to himself, before he too drifted off to dreamland.

Zasha is questing! Episode 8/25

As the sun rose in the morning, Aiden woke up feeling refreshed and excited to get started on the trip. Zasha knocked on the door at 8am and both of them had breakfast before starting on their journey.
They loaded up everything in the car and made a final check on the house and their items. “It's time to move,” said Aiden, “let's go!”

Zasha is questing! Episode 9/25

They started their journey while listening to Christmas songs in the car. "It's gonna be a 2 day trip, and I was thinking of getting items for stocking stuffed along the way."
"That's a great idea," said Zasha, “by the way, I'm bringing Christmas cookies which I've been baking the last few days. I hope your family will like them!”
"Wow! That's mighty generous of you,” said Aiden, “thank you so much. Speaking of cookies, we can always find more along the road, whenever we stop."
“I've already booked an Inn for our rest tonight,” said Aiden.

Zasha is questing! Episode 10/25

“We're in the countryside now,” said Aiden. It was a very beautiful and scenic valley with lots of green around and a flowing river with clear water. We could see some healthy cows also, roaming around and eating grass, a bit far away from us. With the sun, shining with such a bright and smiley face, and a perfectly blue sky over our heads, the day just couldn’t be any more perfect for enjoying the countryside.
“Look for any fruit stand, it'll be nice to have some fresh fruits on the road. I bet Dot would love some fruits too, right Dot?”

Zasha is questing! Episode 11/25

They found a fresh apple fruit stand, which also had apple pies and fresh cider. Aiden stocked up on fruits and all of them enjoyed a refreshing cider at the stand. The farmer's wife was telling us about the process to good quality cider, "This starts with our heritage cider apples that we blend, press, and ferment in small batches that creates a clean, crisp, delicious cider. A completely handcrafted cider that is truly farm-to-grower, our single varietals or many fruit blends are second to none!" she said. True enough, it is a very good cider indeed. Aiden took out his camera and proceeded to take pictures with the farmers for remembrance.
As he drove away, saying goodbye to the farmers, Aiden felt so good and thought that it was really fun interacting with the locals. What a great stop!

Zasha is questing! Episode 12/25

As they stopped for gas, Aiden decided to develop the pictures taken earlier, and had a few photos from the journey that he would really cherish. While he was looking through the photos, a song came from the gas station:
Just hear those sleigh bells jingling, ring tingle tingling too (ring-a-ling-a ding-dong-ding!)
Come on, it’s lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you (ring-a-ling-a ding-dong-ding!)
Outside the snow is falling and friends are calling “yoo hoo!” (ring-a-ling-a ding-dong-ding!)
Come on, it’s lovely weather for a sleigh ride together with you (ring-a-ling-a ding-dong-ding!

And with that cheerful carol, they moved on towards their destination.

Zasha is questing! Episode 13/25

The sun was beginning to set by the time they arrived at their Inn. The inn looked wonderful just like the photo in the travelling website where Aiden booked their room. They unloaded everything to their room and decided to rest for half an hour before venturing into town for a proper dinner. Their sustenance this whole day from the beginning of the trip was only snacking in the car so a proper dinner was truly well deserved.
Zasha used the bathroom first, while Aiden lay down on the bed for some needed rest. Once they'd rested enough, they left the room and went out to town for dinner and a bit of shopping for the stocking stuffing.

Zasha is questing! Episode 14/25

They found a quaint sidewalk cafe and had dinner there. After dinner they took a stroll in town while enjoying the beautiful light decorations all over town. They could hear different Christmas songs being played in each different store. Aiden went in a few shops to buy some souvenirs and also gifts for the stockings. Around 10:30pm, they decided to walk back to the inn for some rest.

Zasha is questing! Episode 15/25

The first thing they noticed when they got to their room was that the door was ajar. When they pushed the door open, they saw that the room was in a shambles. Cookies were strewn everywhere, and all the gifts were gone!
“We've been robbed!” yelled Aiden. “Oh no!! What are we gonna do?”
Apparently the thief only took the presents that have been gift wrapped.
They called the Inn Manager and filed a complaint. Police were called and a statement were taken.
“It's highly unlikely that we'll be able to catch the thief or to recover your stolen items,” said the police, “but we will do our best to catch this thief. We will check the CCTV footage of the Inn.” They left soon after.
Aiden and Zasha sat on the bed and released the biggest sigh ever. The joy that they had just a few minutes earlier was gone and sadness filled the room.
“We have a trip to finish tomorrow, so might as well get some shut eye,” Zasha said.
Both of them went to bed after clearing all the cookies. It was so quiet, as if the night itself knew how they both felt.

Zasha is questing! Episode 16/25

They checked out of the Inn after breakfast and continued on their journey. The atmosphere was solemn. Aiden didn't put on any music and he wasn't his usual chatty self either. He just looked straight ahead and drove.
Zasha tried to start up a conversation a few times, but all he got was a one syllable answer, so he decided to just let his friend be.
The weather was great and they continued on their journey leaving behind the small town of bad memories.

Zasha is questing! Episode 17/25

The further north they travelled, the colder it got. so they put on their scarves and mittens to protect themselves from the cold air. Even their scenery changed gradually. It was still quiet in the car. Zasha wanted to cheer up Aiden so badly that he started telling jokes. If he is able to crack a bit of smile from Aiden, there's hope that this trip will not be in vain.

• What do snowmen eat for breakfast? Snowflakes.

• What did Adam say on the day before Christmas? It's Christmas, Eve!

• Which of Santa's reindeer needs to mind his manners the most? Rude Olph.

• What do you call people who are afraid of Santa Claus? Claustrophobic.

• What do you call a chicken at the North Pole? Lost.

• What is it called when a snowman has a temper tantrum? A meltdown.

• What do you get when you cross vampires and snowmen? Frostbite.

• What do you call an elf that can sing? A wrapper.

• How do the elves clean Santa's sleigh on the day after Christmas? They use Santa-tizer.

• Did you hear the forecast for Christmas Eve? They're calling for rain, dear!

• What do you call a snowman party? A snowball.

• What do you call an elf that runs away from Santa's Workshop? A rebel without a Claus!

• Did you know that Father Christmas has a daughter? Her name is Mary

• What do you call an old snowman? Water.

It was at this point that Zasha heard giggles coming from Aiden, and then he just burst out laughing. “Thank you my friend. I'm still sad but I know all is not lost. There's a few more places we can stop and get new presents for my family,” Aiden smiled

Zasha is questing! Episode 18/25

“Look!” Yelled Zasha, “it's a white stag. Wow! This is truly amazing. You don't often see them this close to the road. I want to stop and take some pictures. Luckily I still have my Polaroid with me. This is truly wonderful.”

Bit by bit, Zasha noticed that Aiden was getting back to his old self. His smiling and chatting. Maybe he'd already put the grinch incident last night to the back of his mind. Who would've thought that in this day and age people still behave like a grinch, stealing presents?

Zasha is questing! Episode 19/25

The Polaroid produced a great shot of the white stag and Aiden was so happy about it.
“You know what?” Aiden said, “Stumbling on the white stag truly lifted my spirits. I'm not gonna dwell on the lost presents anymore. I'm gonna make the best of what we have and be grateful that we're not harm and able to continue on this journey. If by chance I manage to get a few presents at our final stop later, I'm thankful. But if I don’t get it, it's fine too.”

Zasha is questing! Episode 20/25

They enter a snowy state, although the snow is not heavy yet. As they cross the stone bridge Aiden tells Zasha that they're very near his hometown now. One final stop in town and straight to Aiden's house after that. He will try and get whatever he can to replace the stolen gifts.

The truck in front of them is carrying a Christmas tree and Aiden welcomed the sight and started to think of the Christmas tree at his house. The family must've decorated it like they always do.

Zasha is questing! Episode 21/25

They reached their final stop in town and Aiden parked his car just in front of PetsnFriends Mart. This mart always has great items and they're generous with free gifts too, especially during the holidays. Then Aiden noticed a bakery next to it with Christmas cookies that looked like the ones he had before the thief ruined them.
"Zasha, look!! They have the cookies. Do you mind going there and get some? I'm gonna go in the Mart to see what I can buy as gifts". They left Dot resting in the car and both of them moved to their respective stores.
"Best of luck in getting your gifts!" said Zasha to Aiden.

Zasha is questing! Episode 22/25

The mirrored door slid open when Aiden stepped on the mat, and as soon as he stepped inside, confetti fell on him. With a blaring sound like a siren, and a Pow and Bang like popping balloons, the store intercom announced, "Congratulations! We have our 100,000th visitor just walking into our store. To the gentleman with the red scarf, kindly take your shopping trolley and come to the information counter. Thank you.”

Aiden, all shook up from the surprise, took the trolley and went to the counter where the store manager said, "congratulations, sir! You are our 100,000th visitor and you've won yourself a full hour of shopping in this store. Whatever you take is all yours during that hour. Happy shopping!"

As Aiden made his way through the aisles in the store looking for gifts for his family and also for Zasha, he felt tears run down his cheeks. Tears of happiness!

Zasha is questing! Episode 23/25

Aiden replaced all the stolen gifts and more from his lucky break in the Mart and he took it all to the car. Zasha was waiting there by the car with his bags of cookies. The first thing Aiden asked was "do you believe in miracles? I do now." And he proceeded to tell the story of how he was the lucky customer and how he managed to get all the lovely gifts for everyone.

Zasha was so happy for Aiden, and it really was a miracle. A Christmas Miracle! They got into the car and off they went to their final destination, Aiden's house.

Zasha is questing! Episode 24/25

As they approached Aiden’s house, he saw it exactly like what appeared in his dreams a few nights ago. The Christmas tree outside was decorated and his parents even put a make shift sleigh next to it. His dad's truck was parked beside the house. The house was fitted with lighting all over and Christmas wreaths adorned the door. Zasha looked at it and complimented Aiden on how beautiful the house looked.

Aiden saw their dog from the upstairs window peeking out, and at the windows downstairs he could see both his brother and sister peeking out. Snow had covered some parts of the driveway and the fir trees behind their home looked brilliant against the snow backdrop. Home sweet home!

Zasha is questing! Episode 25/25

Aiden invited Zasha inside the house to a warm embrace from everyone. Aiden started to tell everyone of the journey home and showed the family the pictures taken. His brother had put on a Christmas song and it felt so festive in the house. Aiden parents then suggested that they all should take a family photo at the Christmas tree and this should include Zasha too. Before taking the pictures, they all exchanged gifts with each other. Zasha gave the bags of cookies, and Aiden's mom plated them for everyone to enjoy. Once the gift exchanged was done, they all stood by the tree to take the photos. Finally Aiden produced a blue bag and gave it to Zasha plus and extra 20GM as a token for Christmas, and also for coming with him on this Christmas journey. Everybody was happy and the celebration continued on...

As if on cue, the song We Wish You A Merry Christmas was playing in the background.

Good tidings we bring
To you and your kin;
Good tidings for Christmas
And a happy New Year!

We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas
And a happy New Year.
Zasha has completed the quest! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also take part!