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They were in
December. The
last days of
classes brought
joy for the
students because
it represented
the arrival of
vacations, the
holidays, trips
and fun.
However, it also
brought a bit of
sadness, since
the everyday
life with each
other, would
cease to exist.
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At the end of
the school year,
as she said good
bye to her
students, the
teacher talked
about Christmas,
explaining the
importance of
Jesus’ coming to
the world, and
concluded
saying:
— Never forget
what the
Christmas spirit
represents,
mainly, share
what we have
with others,
even though it’s
not much. This
is what Jesus
expects from us:
that we may act
as real
brothers.
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The teacher set
Nick thinking.
What could he
share with
others? He
wasn’t rich.
Quite the
contrary, he was
poor. He needed
his clothes and
shoes. Toys, he
didn’t have. He
remembered his
old books. Yes,
he could give
them away.
He smiled at the
idea. He had
found something
to share.
Deeply, though,
he wasn’t happy.
Giving away his
books, he
wouldn’t share
anything; he
would just give
something he
didn’t need
anymore!
Something wasn’t
right...
Some days later,
near Christmas,
he went to visit
his grandfather
and earned a
coin. A
beautiful coin!
— What will I do
with it? Yes!
I’ll buy that
hot dog I always
dreamed of, but
could never
afford.
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Nick went out
rushing to the
hot dog stand
that was so
famous in the
neighborhood,
according to all
accounts.
He ordered and,
anxiously, his
mouth watering
could hardly
wait it to be
made. He added
the sauces and
all the other
ingredients, and
sat somewhere to
enjoy it
properly.
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Satisfied, he
took a deep
breath and
opened his mouth
wide to give it
the first bite.
At this moment,
he saw by his
side, sitting on
the curb, a
dirty and poor
boy, whose eyes
were eating his
snack already.
Nick, at first,
tried not to pay
attention to
that. But those
begging eyes
were bothering
him.
At that moment,
he remembered
his teacher’s
words in the
last class, and
finally figured
what she had
meant then.
He stood up,
and, in a little
while came back,
with his hot dog
cut in half. He
gave one half to
the boy, who
thanked him with
a big smile, and
took the other
one.
And together,
side by side,
savored the
delicious hot
dog.
Never had Nick
experienced such
sensation of
happiness and
welfare. The
boy’s gratitude
had a special
meaning for
him.
He had finally
understood what
Christmas was
all about. He
managed to
resign, sharing
something he
really wanted.
He shared bread
with someone he
had never seen
before, and he
was sure that
Jesus approved
of the idea. He
didn’t even know
the boy’s name!
But how
important was
that?
He turned back
to the boy, who
looked at him
with this eyes
shining. They
smiled. He had
earned a new
friend.
— Merry
Christmas! — he
said.
— Merry
Christmas! — the
boy replied.
And they hugged
each other.
Aunt Celia
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