As the sun rose, it bathed the clouds that gently drifted like cotton candy on an ocean of blue, in a light that was so soft. Its colours of red and pink were running across them as if painted on by the hand of the most skilful artist. The white haired boy stood and admired this for some time, then turned his gaze to the Tree where he and his two friends would often play. They had not been there for a while now and he did miss them, but he knew they would meet soon and he was thankful that he had the friendship he did. This year he had something special for them on Christmas Eve, and he could not wait for that, but for now his thoughts were with those that were maybe not as lucky as he was.
He had often seen those less fortunate in life make the best of what they could at this time of year, yet he could not understand it and felt a touch of sadness at the thought of a child not receiving a gift on Christmas day. He had heard grownups often say that, “they are only children, they won’t know any difference,” but then he was a child and deep down inside he knew what they would really feel. He had thought long and hard and he had a plan, and he was going to put it into action today so that he could hopefully make a difference.
He climbed into the Friendship Tree and he found his bag of magic buttons that he had stored for special occasions of which was certainly one. These were very special buttons, because they would turn into money when needed. He had made a list, nothing much, but filled with quite a lot little things really that he knew children would enjoy. He went to the local toy store where he had often gone alone to stare at the toy cars and models, the games and even the dolls, which he did not care much for, but he knew his two friends liked, because after all they were girls. He walked up and down the rows of shelves, looking at all the toys on offer, then without thinking for too long he took his magic buttons and he bought to whole lot. Every single last toy in the shop was loaded into his magic sack and taken back to the Tree to be wrapped.
As he sat quietly in the Tree with the puppies watching intently, most likely wondering which gifts were edible, then he carefully wrapped each toy, and as he did he felt extreme joy at the thought of the smiles on the faces of the children who would open the gift they had received, which would mysteriously appear on Christmas morning. He knew every gift would be appreciated for what it was and this was special to him because so many children got lots of presents and took for granted what it meant to get something at all. When he finished, he put all the gifts into the sack and hid it from view so that no one could find it. He then lay back and watched the butterflies and ladybugs gently flittering in the breeze, with the occasional fleck of light reflecting onto his face. His baubles spun one way then the next as they radiated magic into the Tree, and his thoughts drifted to his two friends, whom he knew would be there soon. He took the Book of Dreams and he wrote these few words.
A gift to make a young heart smile,
Takes nothing much to do,
A thought that’s sent all wrapped with love,
That comes from me and you.
Paper torn and pulled away,
Reveals a special toy.
Well special for the child that is,
For every girl and boy.
So on the morning gold and bright,
They call it Christmas day.
I’ll smile and think of children now,
With a toy in hand to play.
I’ll sit and stare out through our Tree,
Its branches spreading wide.
Waiting for my friends to come.
To feel the joy inside.
He was excited, because it was now only four days until he revealed his grand surprise and timing was so important for it to be the special event he had planned. He had everything ready, and whilst he knew that his friends were expecting something, he was sure that they would not have guessed what it was going to be. He looked forward to that time. He could now hear his friends coming along the path, so he lay quietly pretending that he was asleep so that they did not suspect anything more.
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