Grandpa's Favorite Christmas Story

As the cold Christmas eve begins to close, the children huddle into the warm living room for grandpa’s traditional Christmas story. With the fireplace crackling and the orange glow illuminating the room, the children sit down on the floor.

While walking to the worn-down oak bookshelf, Grandpa says in a booming voice,” For this Christmas eve, I want to read my favorite Christmas story.”

In awe, the children look eagerly to see what story grandpa pulls from the shelf. Grandpa places his old brittle hands on the spine of the book and starts to pull. The sounds of books sliding past each other tickles the ears of the children.

Still wondering what the book is, Jack asks,” What is the book grandpa?”

Turning around, grandpa replies,” It is my favorite Christmas story, ‘The Smashed Gift’.”

With excitement, the children chat,” Read it! Read it! Read it!”

As a grin appears on grandpa’s face, he walks across the room to his traditional brown leather couch and sits down. Waiting for grandpa to start reading, the ecstatic beady eyes of the children fix themselves firmly towards grandpa. In a brisky voice, grandpa begins:

The night was Christmas eve, and the little children were bundled up in the warmth of their blanks. Clop Clop Clop. The reindeer’s hooves hit the roof. Santa had arrived to give the children the presents that they had longed for.

“Does he have my big red truck?” Jack abruptly asks.

Grandpa smiles, and replies,” I don’t know, Jack. Were you a good kid this year?”

Jack excitedly nods his head in agreement.

“Very well, then I am sure that Santa has your big red truck,” Grandpa says. “Now, let’s get back to the story.” Grandpa continues:

Santa grabbed his bag of presents and hopped off the sleigh. Walking past the reindeer, he arrived at the chimney and threw his bag of gifts down.

“How did his bag get down the chimney? Isn’t it really big because it has to hold all of the presents for all the children in the world?” Jack curiously asks.

“Well Jack, Santa has a magical bag. This bag can hold every present and fit down any chimney,” Grandpa lovingly replies to Jack. “Now, can you hold the questions for later Jack?”

With Jack’s same enthusiasm, he shakes his head in agreement and grandpa continues with the story.

As the bag hits the bottom of the chimney, Santa climbed on top of the chimney. In one motion, Santa jumped down chimney.

Jack raises his hand. Grandpa looks up and says,” Yes, Jack.”

“Aren’t the presents at the bottom of the chimney?” Jack astutely asks.

In reply, grandpa says,” Good observations Jack. The presents are at the bottom of the chimney.” “So, isn’t Santa going to crush the presents?” Jack promptly asks.

With patience, grandpa replies,” Well let’s find out. Maybe the story has something to tell us.” With Jack’s questions satisfied, grandpa returns to the story.

In one motion, Santa jumped down the chimney. Plump. Santa hit the bottom of the chimney. Crawling out of the chimney, Santa grabbed the bag of presents and walked over to the tree. Reaching in, Santa grabbed the presents one by one and placed them under the tree. Plop, plop, plop. As Santa sets down the presents, Santa reached into the bag and pulled out a smashed present.

“No! Not my red truck,” Jack exclaims.

“Jack, how do you know it is your red truck?” Grandpa asks.

As tears start to form, Jack replies,” I just know it is my truck.”

Trying to comfort, grandpa responds,” Jack, this is a story about a different family. I know that your truck is safe.”

“You promise?” Jack asks.

“Yes!” Grandpa responds.

As Jack beginning to smile, grandpa continues the story.

As Santa sets down the presents, Santa reached into the bag and pulled out a smashed present. With a calm curiosity, Santa unwraps the gift and find a smashed mug. Santa reached into his pocket and pulled out a pouch. Sticking his hand in, he pulled out a bit of dust and sprinkled it on the broken mug. Like magic, the mug starts to piece itself back together. Swoosh, swish. The mug flied around until the pieces are in place. Santa picked up the mug and read what it says. ‘Don’t Drink, this is Santa’s milk.’ With a grin, Santa wrapped up the present and put it under the tree. The End.

Jack shouts,” Santa fixed it!”

“Yes, he did Jack,” grandpa replies with a chuckle.

As Jack’s excitement fades, he asks,” Grandpa, why is this your favorite story?”

“Well Jack, it is my favorite story because the child that asked for that gift was me,” Grandpa replies.

In confusion, Jack asks,” Why did you ask for that?”

Grandpa smiles and says,” I asked for that gift because I wanted Santa to have a good Christmas.”

“Well, if that is what you want, then I want it too,” Jack says proudly.

“Then you will have to ask for something like that next year,” grandpa responds. “Now Jack, I think it is time for bed, and all you other kiddos too. You all know that Santa won’t come unless you go to sleep.”

With excitement in their hearts, the children run up to their rooms leaving grandpa to himself in the living room.

The End.