Kevin’s face was sad. There was no Christmas tree decorating his neighbor’s house, even though it was usually the best tree on the street.
“Christmas is canceled this year,” said Ben Evans when Kevin asked why the usual Christmas tree wasn’t lit in front of Ben’s house. “Christmas can’t be canceled, because Christmas is magic,” Kevin assured him.
Kevin later learned that Ben’s mother had died. That’s why Ben couldn’t celebrate Christmas. His heart was too broken.
At school, the children were busy talking about their Christmas preparations. “Christmas is beautiful not because of the Christmas tree or the decorations, but because we do something good for people in need,” Mrs. Derby told the children.
“Now, I have homework for all of you,” she continued. “Do something good for someone who really needs your help, and write a report. That’s your homework!”
Kevin remembered Ben Evans. His elderly mother used to give the children the most delicious chocolates when they sang Christmas carols. The chocolates were bought from a well-known local store.
With his savings, he secretly bought the chocolates Ben’s mother usually gave him. He also bought a small Christmas tree with colorful lights.
On Christmas Eve, while everyone was asleep, silently Kevin snuck over to Ben’s house. He knew where the front door key was kept. He opened the front door, entered the living room, and carefully placed the chocolates, wrapped in beautiful paper, and the small Christmas tree.
The next day, Ben was invited to a meal at Kevin’s house. His face lit up. He also brought a chocolate gift. “Kevin, you’re right. Christmas is magic. We can’t cancel it. I brought chocolates. I found them in the living room when I woke up this morning. They’re surely a gift from my deceased mother!”
Kevin smiled happily. It was the most beautiful Christmas ever, a Christmas filled with a simple act of humanity that brought a new glow to Ben’s face.
I took this story from the book “The Christmas Present”, published by I Talk You Talk Press on Xreading, a digital library for graded readers. Thank you, Paul Goldberg, and the Extensive Reading Foundation.
The story reminds me of our call to be a helping hand for others. May our presence in the new year bring with it tangible acts of humanity, which may spark rays of hope in the lives of others.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year (Nani Songkares).
About the Author
