Once upon a time, in a thick, green forest, lived a Christmas tree named Sam. Sam was a tall, strong tree with branches full of vibrant, green needles. Every year, when Christmas came, all the trees around him would be chosen by families to take home.

However, Sam never got picked. He would watch as all his friends left the forest, one by one, leaving him behind. It made him feel lonely and sad. He longed to be a part of a family's Christmas celebration.

One Christmas Eve, Sam decided to take a walk through the nearby town. He saw the houses all lit up, with his tree friends beautifully decorated with twinkling lights and shiny ornaments.

Sam felt a pang of sadness. He wished he could be inside a warm home, decorated with love and care. As he walked further, he noticed a small house on the corner, different from the rest. It had no decorations and no lights.

Inside the house was a family. $$C_START_2$$ A kind mother, a caring father, and a little girl with big, bright eyes $$C_END_2$$. They had no Christmas tree, no lights, no decorations. Yet, they were laughing and enjoying each other's company.

The family saw Sam standing outside their window. They were surprised but happy to see such a beautiful tree. They invited him in, and Sam felt warmth and happiness like he never had before.

They decorated Sam with what little they had. A string of popcorn, paper stars, and even some of the little girl's colorful drawings. The father placed a shiny tin star at the top of Sam.

As Sam stood tall and proud in the corner of their living room, he felt special. He looked at the happy family, their faces glowing in the soft light. For the first time, Sam didn't feel lonely anymore.

The little girl hugged Sam's trunk and whispered, "Thank you, Sam. You're the best Christmas tree ever." Sam felt a joy he had never known before. He finally found a family who loved him.

That night, Sam realized that being picked wasn't about being the biggest or the most beautiful tree. It was about finding a family who appreciated him. And he did find them.

From that Christmas on, Sam was no longer the tree left behind in the forest. He was Sam, the Christmas tree, loved and cherished by his special family. And he couldn't have been happier.