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The Citizen, 1989-12-22, Page 39THE CITIZEN, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1989. PAGE 39. Generosity and love theme of Christmas stories Vanilla learns true meaning of Christmas by Laurel Campbell, Grade 7 Hullett Central mere are two puppies named Chocolate and Vanilla, who live in a large mansion and are spoiled rotten. It was nearing Christmas when Chocolate and Vanilla were looking out the window, when Chocolate said to Vanilla, “Did you ever notice how wonderful the snow is?” “Chocolate you sound as if you’ve never seen the snow before! But come to think of it, no I haven’t noticed!” “Do you realize how much we take for granted Vanilla?” “We take a lot of things for granted don’t we? One thing almost everyone takes for granted is Christmas,” said Vanilla. “Ya we do. Do you know the true meaning of Christmas?” added Chocolate. “No actually I, I don’t. Do you?” asked Vanilla. “Yes I do! I overheard Uncle Bill tell Bobby!” “Well don’t leave me in sus- pence, tell me!” said Vanilla eagerly. “Well a long time ago,” began Chocolate .... “How long ago?” interrupted Vanilla. “Oh, before Bobby’s great­ grandpa was bom!” explained Chocolate. “That was a long time ago!” Vanilla interrupted again!” “Yes it was. Well anyhow, a young man named Joseph and a young woman named Mary travell­ ed all the way to Bethlehem to give birth to a special baby that was to be named Jesus. When Mary and Joseph got to Bethlehem they tried to get room in the inn but there was no room for them. But the innkeep­ er showed them a stable out back with hay and animals and a manger for his bed. After Mary gave birth Student's story tells of giving Continued from page 36 Mama could use them for knitting needles. By now it was just a few days before Christmas. She hid the yarn and “needles” along with the doll rolled up in the blanket in a corner of the shack and buried it with a few hand full’s of clean, fresh­ smelling straw from out behind the neighbour’s house. She wore the coat when she had to go to the spinning lady’s place to help and work. Now Heather had to figure out a way to get her father a lunch pail, if even that in three days. She could barely bring herself to do this, but she asked her mother if she had any money. Her mother asked her why so Heather told her that she was gong to the Salvation Army Store and if she saw something that she needed, or the family needed that she would buy it; being Christmas and all. Her mother, believe it or not, had some extra change and gave it to her. As soon as her mother turned her back, she grabbed the coat from under the straw and was off like a bullet. Her mother had given her thirty-five cents. Heather didn’t figure that she could buy anyhting let alone a lunch pail for such a little amount of money, but she went to the store hoping and praying like there was no tomorrow. When she arrived, she was looking at the lunch pails. They were all sixty cents. She couldn’t afford it. As Heather was leaving, she saw a sign in the window that said that there was a job opening in the store. She thought that this would be perfect for Pa. She ran into the store and told the manager that she knev someone who would be perfect for the job. The manager was quite hesitant, but finally to Jesus, the son of God, she wrapped him up in old blankets to keep him warm. “While in the fields the shep­ herds were scared for some angels came down to tell shepherds to follow the star to the stable to see the new born king. “Many other people came to see Jesus. They gave him gold, incense and myrrh and he grew up and told everyone about God. “To this day everybody cele­ brates the birth of Jesus, known as Christmas. That is the story of Christmas,” said Chocolate. “Wow,” exlaimed Vanilla. “That is an amazing story. So we celebrate Christmas by giving gifts of love, right?” “Yes, that’s right, Vanilla. Now you know the true meaning of Christmas.” “Merry Christmas, Chocolate.” “Merry Christmas to you too Vanilla.” __ Maggie's Christmas by Rachel van Veen Grade 8, Grey. “But Mom,” complained Mag­ gie Amhurst, “Why do we have tc be poor and live in this run down apartment, with its charity furni­ ture and second-hand paintings that were bought for 10 cents, why?” Ever since Maggie’s father had died, they had been forced to move to an old rickity apartment on City View Street. Maggie’s mother had to work twelve hours at an under­ paid factory just to keep Maggie and herself alive. Maggie at the age of twelve could understand the situation but was bitter against the condition in which she lived. “Poor Maggie,” all the neigh­ bours clucked to each other, but none would bend low enough to help her. That is almost no one. An old lady who everyone called Grandma Pearl was like a second mother to Maggie. She taught Maggie the Golden Rule and brought her to the park. She agreed to let her father work there. It was only $1.00 per hour, but it was better than nothing. His hours were from 11:00 to 3:00 p.m. On her way home, she felt quite proud of herself. She got everyone in her family a Christmas gift for the first time in her entire life. When she got home, she peeked through the boards and when her mother’s back was turned, she quickly slipped in through the door and threw the coat into the corner with the other gifts. When Christmas Day came, Heather asked her parents if they had any gifts for Christmas. Her parents sadly apologized and re­ gretfully said no. Then Heather piped up and said that she had gifts for them. She made them all close their eyes and face the fire. Heather then ran to the corner where the gifts had been hiddne. She said that they could open their eyes now and behind them on the cold earth lay their gifts. Mary started crying and at the same time yelling “Thank you, Thank you, Thank you ’’and started dreaming up names for her tiny friend. She finally came up with the name of Laney. Robbie didn’t know what was going on. Mama went over and wrapped him up in his beautiful new blanket. He was so happy that he got down on his knees and started praying. John had tried his coat on and proclaimed, “It’s a perfect fit! Thanks Heather, but how could you afford it?” “Don’t worry about it,” she said, “just wear it and be warm.” By this time Mama was so excited that she had already begun putting on stitches and was still bought Maggie new clothes for her brithday, not just hand-me-downs like Maggie always wore, and boosted Maggie’s spirit and self- esteem. But on Dec. 1 she had even a better plan for Maggie. “Maggie dear, come in here,” she called, “I need your help.” “Fine Granny,” replied Maggie. “How would you like it if at 4 o’clock after school, you could drop in and help me do some baking and cleaning. For every hour that you help me I will pay you 50 cents. For Maggie this seemed like a tremendous amount for she had never held that much in her life. “I would like that,” she replied, “let’s start right now.” She knew Christmas was coming soon, and decided she would get a present for her Mom. Maybe they could even have a real Christmas with Mom at home instead of her working. After two hours work at Grand­ ma Pearl’s she went up the creaking stairs to her apartment holding her dollar tightly in her clasped hand. After hiding it in an old cookie jar she made herself a supper which was composed of hot dogs again. Then she fell into a dreamy sleep. Finishing work on the 24th she and Grandma Pearl went down to the department store with Mag­ gie’s well earned money. She bought a soft purple sweater. The next morning, Maggie woke up and was surprised to see a Christmas stocking hanging at the foot of her narrow bed. Inside was candies of many sorts, a real orange and a note telling her to go to Grandma Pearls for her mother had to work. Disappointedly she headed non­ chalantly down the familiar pass­ ageway to her cherished friend’s apartment. She knocked dispon- dently on the door. After a couple seconds Grandma Pearl opened the well used door with a Merry Christmas and a hug. going strong. Who knows what she was making, but Heather was positive that she’d be busy for a while. If she needed more yam, Heather just went and worked for the spinner again. Pa didn’t say anything. Heather asked “Guess What?” “What,” he asked back. “I got you a job!” she announc­ ed. Everyone stared at her in awe. It was like they were mesmerized. Pa hadn’t had a real job for two years now. She told him the pay wasn’t much and what his hours were, but she said it would be enough for some food and maybe for Mama to buy some yarn for sweaters and things like that. Pa promised that he wouldn’t drink anymore liquor. We said it would be okay once in a while but not too often. All of a sudden, they all started singing Christmas carols lead by Robbie of course and even though they didn’t have any turkey and dressing, they were the happiest people in the world. It truly was the best Christmas ever. PIZZA PIZZA PIZZA THURS., FRI., SAT. 5P.M.-12A.M. BLYTH INN EAT IN OR TAKE OUT 523-9381 The house was decorated with holy wreaths and bows, a delightful Christmas tree sat in the corner. In the kitchen her Mom sat with a secretive smile playing on her lips. On the table sat a Christmas tray with prepared delicate sand­ wiches made with tuna and noodle soup was steaming from inside china bowls. “Merry Christmas,” whispered her mother with love, “I hope you enjoy today.” Maggie was so surprised she forgot about the sweater she had purchased. When her heart was back to its normal speed, Maggie gave her Mom the sweater, her Mom just looked at it and cried. “Maggie darling,” she cried, “where did you get the money?” Maggie told her about helping Grandma Pearl. Her Mom just interrupted just once saying, “Bless Grandma Pearl”. They sang Christmas Carols, read the Christmas Story from Seasons Greetings Let’s set the holiday in motion with good times, good fun, good friends Join us for our 2nd Annual New Year ’s Eve bash. Limited Ticket Sale Management & Staff of the BRUSSELS HOTEL 887-9035 Grandma’s worn Bible and had a better Christmas than the rich folks up on King St., with all their trimmings and turkeys could have or even imagine. Happy 19th Birthday Donald Love Your Family