Cocoa Monster
Not too dark, not too milky. His cocoa was scrumptious. So sweet and so silky . . .
*Click the play button above to listen along, but don’t forget to scroll down for pictures, recipes, and more!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS from B-Side Stories!
A quick note to everyone who renewed your yearly B-Side subscription - thank you sooooo much for the continued support. It truly keeps these stories going. Cheers to B-Side’s second year!
This time last year B-Side brought you ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas . . . and Ronald’s Awake! If you didn’t get a chance to check it out, head to the archives or click the button below . . .
This December, B-Side is delighted to bring you the 3rd story in the series of MONSTER-ly magnificent tales. You can also check these out in the archives.
Chai Monster is all about a spicy chai loving fur-ball who is greedy for tea.
Matcha Monster isn’t greedy, but he sure is picky. Have a taste of tofu? Ya right! This monster is only open to slurping one thing - matcha green tea!
That brings us to this month’s VERY MERRY MONSTER tale – Cocoa Monster.
Nothing makes the holidays jollier than a cup of cocoa, and this Monster makes the most PERFECT cup of hot chocolate. But, the rest of his winter is sadly not so wonderful! Cocoa Monster is tryin so hard to check everything off his own Christmas list - trim the best tree, wrap the prettiest present, AND bake the tastiest gingerbread. Can he learn the true meaning of Christmas, or will Cocoa Monster remain very UN-merry!?!
As always, these tea-guzzling “Monster” tales come with a recipe included, so enjoy your hot cocoa (not tea, but close!) & enjoy the warmth of the holiday season . . .
Cocoa Monster
By caitlin nicole evans
Dedicated to Auntie Laurie – Not only do we share a love for Christmas decorations, but we also share a love for the arts. Thank you for always believing in my writing. Merry Christmas and the happiest new year, to you and the whole family . . .
Dear Reader,
Around the world, on December days.
Hot cocoa is made in so many ways.
With Mexican chili and Mayan cacao.
In Belgium with cream whipped straight from a cow.
In China it’s salty with small clumps of cheese.
While, the United States asks for marshmallows, please!
In Morocco its laced with some bright orangey zest.
And Canada thinks maple syrup is best!
In France it is fudgy. The Swiss make it creamy.
EVERYWHERE cocoa is so sweet and dreamy!
With the holiday season so soon in our midst.
This recipe calls for a candy-cane twist.
This cup of hot cocoa is truly PERFECTION.
With a hint of some mint - and a dash of affection.
I hope you enjoy it while reading along.
Of course, with hot chocolate . . .
How can you go wrong!?!
Monstrously Minty Cocoa for Two
2 cups of oat milk (or milk of your choice)
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
½ ounce dark chocolate
2 tablespoons maple syrup (This story takes place in Canada, after all!)
2 bags peppermint herbal tea
Whipped cream, marshmallows, or crushed candy canes to top as you wish
A dash of love/affection
Combine the milk, cocoa, chocolate, syrup, and tea in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and let simmer for 10 minutes. Place in your favourite mug with a dollop of whipped cream, a handful of mini-marshmallows, or a sprinkle of crushed candy canes. Enjoy!
My friend is a MONSTER.
Now reader . . . don’t fear!
There is only one problem that popped up this year.
Christmas is coming.
It’s practically here.
But . . .
It seems that my friend is missing his CHEER!
Monster is usually so joyful and fun.
If you needed a hand he would get the job done.
So helpful and friendly.
So caring and kind.
He has such a warm heart, and a very bright mind.
His chocolate brown fur is so soft and snug.
He’s great for whenever I’m needing a hug.
He so good at games, and all arts and crafts.
He’s got plenty of jokes - a FURBALL of laughs.
At least this was how Monster usually acted.
But, lately the holidays had him distracted . . .
You see . . .
This winter he took his first sip of cacao.
Licking milk from his lips, he exclaimed, “HOLY COW!”
“Hot chocolate’s DELICIOUS. I simply can’t take it.”
So, he set out to find out how monsters could make it.
He bought plenty of cocoa, and gallons of milk.
Chocolate so splendid it melted like silk.
He stewed and he stirred over many a pot.
Testing each batch of hot cocoa he got.
Until, finally Monster had mastered the trick.
Of making a batch not too thin or too thick.
Not too bitter or sweet.
Not too hot or too cold.
It wasn’t too plain and it wasn’t too bold.
He made it JUST RIGHT – not too dark, or too milky.
Every sip was PERFECTION - so creamy and silky!
Now, of course in the winter the warmth can’t be beat,
of this creamiest, dreamiest chocolatey treat.
And certainly Monster made cocoa so scrumptious.
Every cup that we sipped tasted even more YUM-ptious.
His cocoa WAS perfect!
A 10 out of 10!!!
But . . .
That is where all Monster’s troubles began.
After making the cocoa, he started to stress.
Everything suddenly felt like a mess.
“There’s a tree to be chopped.”
“There’s cookies to bake.”
“Presents to purchase.”
“And turkey to make!”
“There’s so much to DO - and I must get it done!”
“To make Christmas PERFECT!!!”
But . . .
What about FUN?!?!
Alas, when the last of our cocoa was through.
He wrote out a list that he titled: TO DO . . .
Then he set about doing each task to be done.
So, we ticked off the tree.
That was task number one.
But, exploring the farm, Monster turned to a GRUMP.
“Those needles are flimsy!”
“And look at that stump!”
I picked out a tree, though Monster seemed stressed.
I hoped he would like it once the tree was all dressed.
At home we strung branches with popcorn and lights.
Excited to see it all shiny and bright.
He flicked on the switch and yelled:
“This is the WORST!”
“The star is too crooked.”
“One lightbulb has burst!”
I thought it looked lovely with the gifts wrapped below.
Monster just sulked at the one droopy bow.
“The ribbon is sloppy!”
“The stockings look shabby!”
Who knew decorations could make monsters so crabby!
I tried to suggest that a break might be nice.
“Let’s bundle up and go skate on the ice!”
He stared at his list - but I saw him relent.
So, out in the snow with our skates we both went.
When we got to the pond we were having such fun.
Gliding along in the warm winter sun.
Suddenly Monster went flying - he’d slipped!
“Grrrrrrr,” Monster growled. “This ice is too chipped!”
He chucked both his skates in a big pile of snow.
He was not in the mood, as he grumbled, “Let’s go!”
I had wanted to go to the woods for a sled.
But he was so grumpy we went home instead.
“There’s no time for sledding, or skating, or fun.”
“There’s simply too much that I have to get DONE!”
He wanted to purchase the most perfect gifts.
So we went to the mall with his extra-long list.
We shopped ‘til we dropped - it was making me dizzy!
But, Monster just started to HUFF, in a tizzy.
“These presents aren’t PERFECT, at all,” Monster said.
I suggested we go home and make gifts instead.
We tried painting some pictures.
We tried hammering shelves.
We knit long wooly scarves.
We were busy as elves!
But the yarn got all tangled.
The painting was SPLOTCHED.
The shelves were askew.
Every gift we made BOTCHED.
“These hand-made gifts STINK!” Monster said in a state.
I thought that making the crafts had been great!
But, I decided to drop it - before it got late.
With no perfect gifts, and the tree’s busted light.
I thought it was time we should cook for the night.
The scent of roast turkey!
The smells of baked hash!
He might just calm down with potatoes to mash.
The kitchen had always made Monster content.
So, I gathered the fixings and away we both went.
Chopping up onion.
The carrots set boiling.
Slicing and dicing and joyfully toiling.
Suddenly Monster was back in a HUFF.
“These potatoes are MUSHY!”
“This turkey’s too STUFFED!”
I wished that poor Monster would just let it be.
“Dinner will still be delicious, you’ll see!”
After we ate I suggested a game.
Despite the fire and cocoa, he still felt the same.
“UGGHH” groaned Monster. “You’ve already won.”
“I’ve lost the whole game, and we’ve barely begun.”
Why couldn’t Monster just try and have FUN?!?
I thought he might like singing carols at night.
But, of course he complained:
“Oh, those lyrics aren’t right!”
“We are too out of tune.”
“We are singing off key!”
And here I thought music made monsters feel glee!
But, his glee was all gone.
Monster had lost all his reason.
He was missing the point of the whole Christmas season.
The holidays only brought Monster more stress.
He didn’t feel MERRY.
He STILL felt like a mess!
He’d tried to be flawless and get his list done . . .
But, one thing was missing - just having some FUN!
Now, I watched as he sulked in his hot cocoa cup.
BUT . . .
I knew my last gesture would cheer Monster up.
I reached for the tree, and pulled out a letter.
Hoping my card would make Monster feel better.
He put down his cocoa.
He put down his pride.
Then opened the card to read what was inside . . .
Dear Monster,
Christmas for me is about the memories we make.
Being present and grateful is all that it takes.
We are lucky to have all this holiday stuff.
And if it’s not perfect, it’s perfect enough.
And the same for you Monster - you’re perfectly fine.
Whether you tick every box, or cross out each line.
Sure, there are things that have to get done.
I just hope you remember to relax and have fun.
I just really love spending time with my friend.
And, I truly do hope all your worries will end.
Because even if Christmas does not go your way.
We can still try and make it the merriest day!
I love you soooo much, and I hope you can see.
Perfect cocoa, or not -
YOU are perfect to me!!!
A tear slipped from Monster,
and fell in his cup.
A smile slowly spread,
as his whole heart welled up.
He realized that really, his antics were silly.
What was the matter with “just okay”, really?
Who cared if his gingerbread house was a flop?
All the time that he’d wasted in shop after shop.
A lightbulb gone out.
A turkey too stuffed.
Wasn’t the time spent with family enough?
The most perfect gift was already here.
Sharing love in the moment - that was real Christmas cheer!
(He would have to remember this lesson next year . . .)
Perfection had blurred Monster’s brain and his sight.
And he longed to just linger in simple delight.
Like sharing a giggle when he fell on the ice.
Or smelling the gingerbread’s cinnamon spice.
Or playing “Monster-opoly” next to the fire.
Everyone’s heart had the same deep desire.
AND . . .
Every tummy had the same longing too.
It was chocolatey sweet, topped with marshmallow goo!
Soooo . . .
He made some more cocoa, and we each had a cup.
“Cheers!” Monster said.
Then he ripped his list up.
“Things don’t have to be perfect,” he said.
“But, I really DO think . . . “
“Hot cocoa is truly the most PERFECT drink!”
Now you see reader, why this monster’s my friend.
But, the cocoa’s still hot.
So I must say . . .
“The End!”
Reading Recommendations: The “Monster” stories took little readers around the world - from India, to Japan, and back to Canada! But, how about another children’s book, all about travelling to new places . . .
A World of Cookies for Santa, by M.E. Furman takes readers all over the globe, discovering how different countries celebrate Christmas. Did you know in Ireland they leave Santa mincemeat pies? And, in India children make Mr. Clause a cup of chai . . . Chai Monster would be in HEAVEN! This book is colourful, educational, and intriguing for little readers who love learning about new places. And, just like the Monster tales, this children’s book also includes recipes for some of the different Christmas cookies from around the world! How YUM-ptious! Hope you enjoy reading & baking along.
Stay tuned for the next B-Side Story coming out New Year’s Day & remember to RENEW YOUR SUBSCRIPTION as we head into 2023 . . .
HAPPY HOLIDAYS & Happy Reading!
