Character Profile: The Grinch

“Sorry, can't hear you. I don't speak 'Ridiculous'.”

He’s heartless. Well, nearly. The only being he even remotely cares for is his dog, Max, who, like most canine companions, is fiercely loyal to him.

For one reason or another, whether it be past trauma or perhaps just nature, the Grinch hates Christmas. I mean, really hates Christmas. So, naturally, he lives on an isolated mountain top above the town of Whoville. But, Whoville isn’t just any town, oh no. It’s a town steeped in heavy Christmas tradition. Tradition that, sneakily enough, manages to inch that much further into his life every year.

And this year, he’s reached his breaking point. A tree the size of Manhattan has been flown in, with plans to line it with lights so bright, whether he wants to or not, he’ll be subjected to its brilliance. It’s unsightly, unholy brilliance. Just the thought makes him cringe.

But this time, he has a plan. He’s not going to stomach another season fighting off carolers and townsfolk with ridiculously wild and crazy decorations. He’s going to hit them where it hurts. Hit them hard enough that they won’t ever want to celebrate Christmas again.

And to pull this off, he’s going to need every trick in the book (No really, he’s got an actual book). And once the plan has been formulated, he works hard to see it through, with a little help from his furry companion, that is.

But there was one thing he wasn’t counting on. The plan was going so well, until one little girl said something he wouldn’t forget. A Christmas wish he never expected to hear.

The next morning, while relishing in his dastardly ways, he expected silence. Or at the very least, cries of anguish. But, to his surprise, that wasn’t what happened at all. Instead, he heard the most unusual thing. Singing.

Through all he had done, taking their gifts, their beloved trees, all their decorations, they were still joyful. Still filled with the elusive Christmas cheer he always secretly envied. And it was in that moment he realized what it all meant. Christmas had never really been about any of it. Sure the lights were festive and the trees were homely. But none of it actually mattered. For the true Christmas spirit came not from out there, but within.

And they say his heart grew three sizes right then. But I don’t think so. I think it was already there, just dormant and darkened. For it was Christmas song that brought it to life again. That and a single humbling wish made by a little girl. One who saw who he really was the whole time. And instead of shying away, she showed him the one thing he truly needed. Love.

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