A GIFT
Well, son, tell mehow was your day?
Richard, just home from work, scooped up his five-year-old son, Henry, and settled him beside him on the sofa, playfully tousling the boys sandy hair. While Catherine, Henrys mum, prepared dinner in the kitchen, father and son chatted in their warm, cosy living room. At the focal point between the softly murmuring television and a bookcase, a dazzling little Christmas tree glowed with colourful lights. There were just twenty-four hours left until New Years Eve.
Im all right! Henry declared. But my friend Peter isnt.
Whats wrong with Peter, then? Richard asked. That Peter who lives in the next block, is it?
Henry nodded.
He didnt get a present at the nursery Christmas party today, added Catherine, popping her head into the room, fragrant with roast chicken. Poor lad All right, chaps, go wash your hands and come to the tabledinners ready.
How come he didnt get a present? Richard said, surprised, getting up from the sofa. Everyone got one except Peter? Thats not right.
Yeah, everyone did, except Peter, Henry confirmed, sliding off the sofa after his dad. Father Christmas and his helper gave gifts to all, but not him. He was waiting all the same.
What sort of Father Christmas and helper leave out a child? Richards voice sharpened as he pulled up a chair at the table.
It wasnt really their fault, Catherine shrugged. Most likely Peters mum either forgot to contribute money for the gift or couldnt afford to. It does happen. Henry, did you wash your hands?
He washed them with me, Richard replied, carving up the golden chicken and serving it out. All right, maybe his gift money wasnt paid. But how could the nursery managerwhats her name, Mrs. Harris?let such a thing happen right under everyones noses?
Mrs. Harris was actually Father Christmass helper, Henry announced. And Father Christmas was our caretaker!
Well, that makes it even worse! Richard was indignant. Surely they could have found just one extra present for that poor child. Parents could have settled up later. Such cold-heartedness!
Well, apparently they couldnt, Catherine sighed. If it were me, Id have found a way to include him, no question.
And Peters mum? How did she let it happen? Richard pressed. I dont get it By the way, son
He turned to Henry, who was busy gnawing on a chicken drumstick.
I hope you shared your present with your friend?
Henry raised his eyes with mild reproach.
I wanted to, he said. And so did Luke, Ellie, Adam, and a few others. But Peter wouldnt take anything from anyone.
Hes proud then! Richard mused. And tell mehe didnt cry, did he?
I dunno I didnt see, Henry answered honestly.
What a lad, Richard repeated in admiration. He didnt deserve to be treated like that.
Indeed, poor Peter, Catherine agreed, her tone soft. I can imagine how stung he mustve felt.
I say we put things right! Richard said suddenly, with a determined glint as a flush crept up his cheeks.
How? asked Catherine, dabbing her mouth. Henry also looked at his dad eagerly.
This way! Richard replied, with mysterious certainty. Who knows which flat Peter lives in? Henry, do you know?
Henry shook his head. No, Ive never been inside. Were only friends at nursery and outside.
Well, I could find out, Catherine replied, thinking. My friend Alice knows just about everyone in our building. Ill call her now. But Why?
Just call her. Right away, Richard urged.
All right, Catherine agreed. But youll tidy the table and wash the dishes!
Theyre in number thirty-fivesurname Sutton, Catherine reported minutes later. His mums Margaret. No dad, apparently. Well, he was around but left. Or perhaps she sent him packinghard to say, but seems there were grounds. Its just Margaret and her son now.
How do you know all that? Richard chuckled.
Alice knows everyones business in this place! Catherine grinned. Shes on the residents committeenothing slips by her.
Well, thats settled then, Richard said. Henry, did you finish all of your present?
Not yet, said Henry, a little regretfully. Mum says too many sweets arent healthy.
Shes right, Richard approved. So your gift bag is still intact?
YupI opened it carefully, Henry replied.
Thats good, Richard said, tousling his sons hair again. Could you transfer what youve got left into another bag and let me have the empty one?
Why? Henry asked warilybut he still went to his room and returned with the bright, now lighter gift bag. Immediately, he tipped out the goodies onto the tablesweets and biscuits crackled out in shiny wrappers.
Catherine, watching this commotion silently, finally spoke up:
So, my dear gents, you want to cheer Peter up with a present? When and how?
Best to do it tonight! Richard answered. What do you think, Henry?
Of course! Tonight! Henrys eyes sparkled. Ill put in some of my own sweets for him?
If you dont mind, why not? Richard smiled.
Are we going together? Henry asked, repacking some sweets into the bag.
You did offer him treats earlier, and how did that go? Richard said doubtfully. Hes proud. Lets try it differently
Richard disappeared for a few minutes, returning asFather Christmas! In white boots, a red robe trimmed with snowy fur, decorated with swirling patterns, and a big white beard, he carried a staff in one hand and the gift sack in the otherit was empty.
Henry stared in wonder. Then asked,
Dad, was that you as Father Christmas last year? And the year before?
It was, Richard confessed. Sorry I didnt tell you sooner. But youd have found out eventually. You see, once, my work asked me to be Father Christmas for the end-of-year party, and I agreed. It went down a treatnow its three years Ive been Father Christmas, and I get to surprise you and Mum too. Did you like Father Christmas last year?
I did! Henry praised. And its brilliant that we have our very own Father Christmas!
He hugged his dads legs tight.
Catherine added more sweets, tying the bulging bag with a bright ribbon, while Richard tucked it into the gift sack and straightened his beard.
SoIm off to visit Peter with a present. Do you object? asked Richard.
No! Henry and Catherine chorused.
Henry piped up,
Can I come as well, dad?
Instead of Father Christmass helper? His dad grinned.
As a bunny! Henry cheered and dashed off to his room. He returned dressed as a white rabbitthe same costume hed worn to nurserys Christmas party: white suit, tall ears, fluffy tail, and a cardboard mask with whiskers drawn under a button nose.
All right, lets goI hope Peter wont recognise you! Richard relented. But wear your coat. Even white bunnies get cold in winter!
Father and son set out together. Catherine could hardly stop laughing, seeing tall Father Christmas striding along while a little rabbit in a coat and floppy ears tottered beside, dragging the gift sack almost to the ground.
Ten minutes later, only Richard returnedlooking flustered.
Wheres Henry? Catherine gasped.
Dont worry, hes finehe stayed at Peters, theyre playing. Ill fetch him in half an hour, Richard said, mopping his rosy, damp face with his beard.
Still dressed as Father Christmas, he dropped onto the sofa.
Well, fancy that! he exclaimed, and told Catherine what had happened. It turned out they were the sixth family to deliver presents to poor Peter that evening! Others had comeand apparently thered be more. Just before them, Mrs. Harris, the nursery manager, had leftno longer dressed as Father Christmass helper.
Oh, she apologised profusely to Peter and his mum for what happened, Richard said, peeling off his robe and beard. Apparently, someone filmed the nursery party and posted it to our town websiteit had thousands of views in hours, with heaps of comments!
Really? Catherine was surprised. Ill have to look.
But thats not the main point, Richard said gently. Turns out Peters mum only managed to pay for the gift a little late
Well, bit careless of her, Catherine noted sensibly. Yet living alone, short on money, things happen. The nursery couldve sorted something for her boy.
And yet, instead of working it out, the nursery bosses just cut his name off the list. So a blameless little lad ended up hurt, Richard said, still shaken.
If I was Mrs. Harriss boss Catherine sighed. People that cold shouldnt be in charge of children.
Maybe shell be sacked, Richard agreed. Or maybe shell realise her error and do better Really, anyone working with kids shouldnt behave like thatever.
He paused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, and looked up.
Ohand Peters dad even showed up! With gifts, looking thoroughly ashamednearly crying, too
Really? Catherines face lit up.
Just then, the doorbell rang. It was Henry.
Whyd you come home on your own? Richard asked, surprised. Wasnt I meant to collect you?
Im not a baby! Henry retorted. And I got bored there.
Hows that? his father asked.
Well, Peters mum and dad argued at first, then started crying. So Peter and I went to the kitchen, and they were hugging. Then Peter joined in, and all three were hugging and crying. Bonkers! Nobody saw me leave
Richard and Catherine exchanged amused, relieved glances.
Well then, my dears, lets have some tea, Catherine suggested. Then, if were still awake, well see the New Year in together. Lets hope its a happy one for everyone.
It will be! Henry declared, with all the generosity of his young heart.
And so the evening ended with the simple realisation: sometimes, the warmth we shareand the kindness we showmatter far more than any present. For it is compassion, not gifts, that truly brings joy to others.
