In a frozen forest on Valentine's eve, the evil Krampus stalked through bare trees, despairing that love had passed him by once more. Suddenly, a rosebush caught his eye, its single blood-red blossom defying winter's chill.
"Such beauty does not deserve this desolate land!" Krampus growled, plucking the rose. Yet holding it filled his gnarled claws not with warmth, but anger - for he knew his monstrous form could never inspire love's touch.
In a rage, Krampus crushed the rose. But as crimson petals drifted to the snow, a girl emerged from the brush. "Please kind sir, do not destroy what little joy remains in this bleak season."
Her beauty outshone the rose, fair as fresh fallen snow. Krampus dropped the flower, entranced yet ashamed. "Begone girl, these woods are no place for your radiance!"
But she only smiled, saying "All deserve love's light, even gnarled souls as yours." Stooping, she gathered the scattered rose into her hands, mending it whole again through some magic.
"A gift, to lift your spirits as you have lifted mine." She pressed the rose to Krampus' chest then disappeared amongst the trees. There in the groves of his cold heart, love's seed had taken root, warmed by a maiden's gift on Valentine's day.
From that hour Krampus' cruel ways faded, replaced by kindness toward all in the forest. And some say if you listen on Valentine's eve, you may hear the beast thanking his rose maiden for the greatest gift of all - the bloom of compassion within his soul.
Thank you for reading!
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