It was the usual build-up to Christmas. All the preparations were taking place at home and everything seemed to run in slow motion. Charlie was evidently bored as he let out a loud groan intermittently. He just could not wait for Christmas to get underway and he was constantly excited about what he was going to get for Christmas. A LEGO set? A Remote-Controlled Car? The new Nike boots he’d always wanted? He began to become restless.
Then, Charlie’s mother let out a high-pitched shriek and beamed “Look at the parade!” She then bellowed “Those lights, they’re so pretty!” The lights were in shades of Crimson, Emerald, Ruby and Topaz and the colours perfectly intertwined and created an array of the most exquisite and radiant lights you could ever see. Also, complemented with the rather tinny but cheerful music, the Christmas parade was incredible. The parade seemed to give Charlie a distraction from the build-up.
Charlie pleaded “Please can we donate some money?” knowing that the more unfortunate people wouldn’t have a ‘Merry Christmas’. The mom then obliged and dug out a ten-pound note from her handbag and handed it over to Charlie who then stepped out the house and donated. Charlie’s mom, Cathy, had told him to come straight after he donated but Charlie thought he knew the town pretty well so he followed the parade, ignoring his mom’s orders. Santa spotted the boy following him but was too busy to stop and talk to him
He started following the parade and then snow gracefully descended and in a blink of an eye, the streets became snow capped. Charlie began to feel cold when he decided to go home only to find he didn’t know where he was. Charlie instantly regretted his actions and repeatedly admonished himself for his careless actions.He was confused and angry with himself. How did he get himself into this mess? Why didn’t he just go home and do as he was told? Mom?
Then a sickly, old man asked if Charlie was okay and let him stay in a run-down bungalow, it looked like it needed urgent renovation. The old man then gave Charlie a cup of hot chocolate and asked where he came from. Charlie seemed listless. He just sat there lifeless, motionless without making any noise,
Meanwhile, Cathy’s apprehension peaked, she was worried sick, she was afraid of what would happen to her dear son and contacted police who then forwarded the message to all the news reporters. Santa saw the reports and wanted to return Charlie back to his parents.
Santa then looked at where Charlie could potentially be and scurried to the bungalow to discover Charlie who stood there with disbelief. How did Santa find him? Did he know where he lived? Santa took Charlie back home. And for Cathy, due to her sheer disbelief, hugged Charlie, almost squeezing Charlie to a pulp!
Cathy asked “Were you the person who took care of my son?” and Santa replied “No, it was this kind man!” Cathy, as a way of thanks, gave the sickly man, healthcare, as she was a trained doctor and accommodation in their modern nut they had in their back garden. The man also had access to a great bathroom, food, drink and a warm shelter.
When Cathy turned to Santa, she realised he was gone! Charlie had a question was Santa actually Santa? As that thought dawned on the family, Cathy exclaimed “ Tomorrow, lets have a great Christmas!” Charlie felt a tear come down his face and shouted “ Sorry Mom, I should have listened to you and came back home, I’m really sorry if I made you worry!” Cathy smiled and gave Charlie a hug, “It’s okay, these things happen, you’ve just got to stay strong.”
Charlie composed himself, went in his room and sighed. He was happy, he then sat down and looked out of his window and saw the the smile on the old man, Jimmy’s face. He felt happy as, because of his mishap, a person now had a place to call home, he then lied down and thought about how precious life is.
The next day, Christmas, everyone, including the old man, had a grand Christmas feast, eating heartily. And, Charlie got Nike Mercurials, the shoes he had wanted since last April. He was ecstatic and elated with himself. It was a great Christmas for sure!
Merry Christmas!
Pranav Kalavala