Theme:
Christmas
Eliseu's Christmas
In
a small town, everywhere you could see the joy
spreading. Christmas was coming, and with its arrival
came a party atmosphere. Through all the streets, the
houses were decorated for the date.
It means, except one house. In
Eliseu's house, there wasn't even a little bell hanging.
He made a point of not putting on any ornaments or doing
anything special. Every year it was the same. When he
saw neighbors hanging garlands, he would snort:
- These people just keep wasting time
and money!
Eliseu spent the holidays locked at
home. He had no family, nor anyone who visited him. For
him, Christmas was just a period when people liked to
waste money on ornaments and expensive gifts.
On the morning of Christmas Eve,
Eliseu left for his usual walk to the market. There,
people greeted him and smiled, wishing him a happy
Christmas, but he was irritated thinking that they would
soon push him to buy something. He murmured to himself
that the price of fruit had gone up again, when he heard
someone calling him:
- Eliseu, is it you? Do you remember
me?
Eliseu left the fruit aside and it
was a big surprise. There was Marcelo, his great youth
friend. They hadn't seen each other in many years, since
Marcelo had to move to another city because of work. The
two ran to hug and started talking animatedly.
After several stories from each
other, Marcelo smiled:
- How fast time passes when the
conversation is good! But I need to get going and take
these apples home. Lúcia is going to make her famous
apple pie, which our grandchildren love!
- Grandchildren, already? - Eliseu
was surprised - Wow... It must be difficult to buy gifts
for children, with such expensive prices.
Marcelo shook his head while putting
some apples in the bag.
- We don't worry about gifts at home.
When we give it, we buy it, but if it doesn't, it's
fine. The most important thing is that we are all
together.
Eliseu was silent, thinking about
what his friend had just said.
During the conversation, Marcelo
realized that Eliseu didn't had a real Christmas
celebration in years.
Eliseu was surprised when his friend
invited him to dinner at his house.
- I insist! There's always one more
spot on the table, and we'll be happy with your company!
Marcelo informed the address. The two
said goodbye and returned home, with the promise that
Eliseu would be at Marcelo's house at dusk.
At the appointed time, Eliseu went to
his friend's house thoughtfully. Would people be
uncomfortable with his presence? He knew he was a little
cranky at times.
But when he got there, all the worry
disappeared from his mind. Marcelo came to welcome him
holding a grandson in each arm, and laugh was heard
throughout the room. Eliseu was amazed by all the beauty
of the decoration, full of lights, ribbons and flowers.
The house was full of people and joy.
At mealtime, the food was the most
delicious that Eliseu had ever tasted. The apple pie was
divine, and he laughed when he saw the kids competing
for the biggest piece.
At that moment, he realized what the
real meaning of Christmas was. Coexistence with loved
ones, kindness, affection, caring. He thought of the
people who wished him happy holidays that morning and
regretted he did not return to them.
At the end of the night, when saying
goodbye, Eliseu embraced Marcelo moved, with a heart
full of gratitude. Marcelo, with a smile, said:
- Thanks for coming. Merry Christmas,
my friend!
That Christmas was very special for
Eliseu. He promised himself that, next Christmas, he
would run a solidarity campaign to collect toys and
cheer the children.
And, in the New Year, he decided that
he wanted to dedicate himself to being a better and more
charitable person, capable of bringing happiness to
those around him. Eliseu realized, after all, that the
best gift that someone can give, and also receive, is
love.
Text by Lívia Seneda.
Translation:
Larissa Martine - larissa_am@hotmail.com
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