The Greatest Christmas Gift (2)

Author: Admin Posted under:
I narrated the entire incident and the conversation I had with the young boy and his grandmother.

"I would take you to the hospital" said Ron and drove me to the hospital. Ron said he would wait for me outside and I went to look for the ward number where Anna was perhaps breathing her last. I found the room and as I peeked into it I could see that the room was all full of people probably her near and dear ones. There I saw the young boy resting against his grandmother. A lady whom I presumed her mother was sitting beside Anna. She was gently moving her hand slowly against her hair.

I took a deep breath and with a smiling face entered the room with " Ho Ho Ho " sound. Then I realized how difficult it is to fake. How difficult it is to bear a smile when you actually are broken deep within.

The young Anna surprisingly busted out the word "Santa" instantly. She wanted to break open the mesh of pipes and machines all over her body and run up to. But could not. She was too weak to even stand on her own forget about running. I ran straight to her and gave her a nice bear hug. She resembled that of my own daughter Jenny.


As I hugged her I could feel her bones .She was pale and weak and had bald patches on her head but on the other hand she had a beautiful gift of God which very few people have "The Blue Colored Eyes”. They were so beautiful and hypnotically.

Seeing her condition my heart melted and I had to nearly choke myself from crying out.

I picked up the young angel and started talking to her. She was too sweat and opened her heart out to me. I asked her what she wanted for Christmas and she gave me a long list of her wishes on the assurance of being a good girl.

While we were chatting I could see rest of her family members whispering. Anna's mother approached and whispered "Thanks Santa". But this was the least I could do.

It was getting too late and doctors advice rest for Anna, so we all huddled around her bed and sang Christmas Carols. Everybody had tears in their eyes, tears of joy, tears of pain, and tears of hope. I took her small hands and said to her authoritatively I do not want to see you on bed the next time I come at the Christmas. You need to give in your best and get well soon". I knew I was asking for something which is a little too much. But I had to. I had to give her no toys, no dolls, no colors but the gift of Life, the Hope to Survive.

She agreed and said "Yes Santa, I would come a meet you next year for sure”. I could see the determination in her Blue eyes. I could see the seed of hope in them.

As I could not hold myself anymore, so I bid the young girl good bye and came running outside.

As i reached outside the room, I saw Ron standing outside the ward. We saw in each other's eyes. I could no longer control my tears and cried unashamed.

The Young boy came out with his grandmother and thanked me for my visit and hugged me.

An year later, when I again posed as Santa during the Christmas season one day a girl came up to me. She wanted to sit on my laps and talk.

She started off by saying “Hi Santa. Remember me?” As every child wanted to be felt special, I lied “Yes my darling I remember you very well”. This was the secret to be a good Santa. She continued by saying that “ You came to meet me in the Child Hospital”. I was pleasantly shocked. Tears filled my eyes to see the Miracle. I immediately recognized those Blue eyes and hugged her tightly to my chest and said "Anna".

She was all dressed like a fairy with silk blond hair and rosy cheeks much different to what I saw her in hospital. I could then see Anna's mother standing on one side wiping her tears. My hands and eyes immediately rose up to the sky and I thanked God. Certainly almighty is great and his generosity cannot be ever measured. He is kind enough to listen to honest prayers and wishes. He dint only gave new life to Anna but also in a way me my lost daughter back..


Years later, when I had aged a little, it was the first Christmas of my life when I could not go and pose as a Santa as I was gravely ill. I had lost hope in life and was sure wont survive this ailment, Doctors had also lost hope and so did I, On the Christmas day I was taken to the operation theatre and for the first time on a Christmas day I wore a green gown that patients wear instead of the red white Santa dress. The doctor came in and someone hold my hand. The face was covered but the eyes were similar. I said to myself I know these eyes. The Doctor said” Hey Santa don’t worry, I and god will surely make you well and smiling. “
You are great, I said in my heart… The young girl who was on verge of death year back has now become mascot of life for me. I dint want to live for myself but for thousands of children who wait for me every year as their Santa.
When I came out of Operation Theatre, in semi conscious state I thanked god once again.
Almighty is so great, instead of coming himself on earth he chooses we the human beings. Once I saved Annas life in gods disguise and this time she saved mine.

That was the best Christmas gift I ever had in my life "The Greatest Gift on Christmas.”

0 Comments

The Greatest Christmas Gift (1)

Author: Admin Posted under:
This is another Heart Touching Story. Do remember to send in your Comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Christmas season was around the corner, still few days to go but the market places and shopping malls were already decorated with lights. The celebration had already started. There were twinkling stars and glittery atmosphere everywhere. People were all set for the gifts, decorations, greetings, food and drinks. Carols and prayer were filling the silence of the winters with serene warmth. I was all set to distribute gifts and blessing to children as “The Santa Claus”. Dressing up like Santa was my favorite pastime, not because I used to get good money in return, but because I loved doing it. I use to see my daughter "Jenney" in every child that used to come to me for gifts. Seeing children happy made me happy.

My daughter died when she was just 10 years old. I tried every bit I could to save her, pull her back from the death, but everything failed. She was hit straight on face while she was playing at school.


One day while I was sitting at the Mini Shopping Mall, a young boy must be 3 years old came to me with a lady who I presume was his grandmother. This boy came up to me to sit on my lap. I notice he was carrying a picture of a young girl in his hand.

“Who is that girl” I asked anxiously. “Your Girlfriend?” The boy said No. “Your Sister?” I again raised the question as I was curious to know. The young boy straight nodded his head vertically. “It is the picture of my Young Sister” said the young boy. “She wanted to come but is badly sick” said he sadly.


I looked at the Grandmother who was standing near to the Christmas tree wiping her dabbing eyes with a napkin.

“She wanted to come with me to see you dear Santa. She wanted to” exclaimed the young boy. “She missing you very much” said the boy with softly with a smile.

I tried to act cheerful and encouraged the smile on the young boys face. I quickly change and picked up a new topic to talk on. I asked “What do you on this Christmas from Santa?”


When the young boy finished off with his talking, the grandmother quickly came over to help the child get off the lap. I could see her eyes. She wanted to ask me something.

"What is it that is bothering you?" I said warmly.

Grandmother quickly shoo this grandson towards the area where the Christmas gifts were kept and started off “I now, it is too much to ask from you..But the girl, Anna, whom you see in this picture, is hospitalized. She is at the last stage of her cancer”.

“As per doctors she is not even expected to live till Christmas” she added with tear filled eyes.

“Her last wish is to meet Santa, This is all she is asking for, so is there any way you can come over and meet her” said grandmother.

I tried to swallow the hard truth and asked the lady to leave her address and contact details. This hard truth had made my old memories alive. Memories of my young daughter.

“What if my daughter asked for it. Wouldn’t have I fulfilled her last wish” I questioned myself.

I knew what exactly needed to be done.
I retrieved the address where Anna was admitted from one of my helper and approached my Manager. I asked him "Ron, How do we go to Child's Hospital?" Ron was surprised for a second. With the puzzled look on his face he asked me "Why do you intend to go there?"

0 Comments

The Funeral (2)

Author: Admin Posted under:

As I was in the balcony I could hear one of the neighboring informing the other that the procession was scheduled for next morning.

I did not want to hear this because I knew I would be in a dilemma whether to go or not. I had some important work to be done in the office next day, so I said to myself that I visit their home and pay condolences for the loss rather than wasting the complete day by attending the funeral ceremony.

I could hear my neighbors asking each other about the procession. Everyone making one or the other excuse for not attending it. My decision of not going to the funeral was further solidified and I coolly started cooking dinner. After finishing off with the dinner, I opened my refrigerator and unlocked the beer can. As I was sipping in beer I realized how unpredictable can life be. A man so health like Mr. Banerjee suddenly got stomach pain and now he is no more.

This gave me the lesson to live each day. I do not know when did I went to sleep but was again woken up by the milk man. After taking milk I stood outside the balcony and I could see Mr. Sharma already reading newspaper. I anxiously asked him, are you going to the funeral ceremony to which he said “No”.

He said he has some urgent work which needed to be done so he would not be able to make it. This is ho life is. These were the people who took every damm advantage of Mr. Banerjee when he was alive and now they do not have any time. Soon I started hearing the procession going by. There was hardly anybody who had gathered. I saw around 600 to 700 people attending Mr. Banerjee son's wedding and now when the family needs their support the most, there were only handful now. This is the truth of present times people would share your happiness but no one would be there in trying times.

I could see the bus conductor guiding the driver so that he could pass by easily. Some 9 odd women were standing on the other side of the road all dressed in white sareers. Soon the procession passed by. I could not stop myself and went running down the stairs to attend it. How can I be so selfish? I knew Mr. Banerjee‘s son so I had to go, I said to myself.

I joined the profession to the funeral ground. I could see some 20 people waiting. Some dressed in formals as if they would go to office after the funeral. I could have done the same, if I would not have come in blue rubber slippers. People started to pour in cars, taxis and scooters. I could see a long parking queue outside the cremation ground. The chauffeurs were chatting with each other along with waiting for a signal from their masters. I even heard one of the chuffers asking for a cigarette, to which I objected.

I could hear pain and cries all around. It was really a depressing site. The pyre was ready. Mr. Banerjee’s Son lit the pyre and no time it burnt and the body was back into soil and, air I could see Mr. Banerjee‘s Son standing motionless.

As soon as half the pyre was lit, people started moving and leaving. The chauffeurs without wasting any time went into the cars and started the engine and waited for the signal from their master to drive to the main gate. The funeral came to an end.

0 Comments

The Funeral (1)

Author: Admin Posted under:

Some people have all kinds of complaints with life and I am one of them. I sometimes feel I cannot ever get enough from life and this makes me rush every minute after the lust of getting more. And in my same attitude of garnering more I have spent years running and working as a relentless robot and somehow the driftness of life has taken away my emotions too. The usual mornings the same nights and same years- my life has became devoid of emotions.
It was the Monday morning of June and I was woken up by the sudden door ring. It was the milk man at the door. I slept late last night so I found it hard to get up. But I had no other choice. The milk man would not stop ringing until I would get the milk. He acted as my Alarm.

I was walking lazily towards the door and as soon as I opened the door I was amazed to see a group of neighbors gossiping. I called milkman in and started enquiring. He told me that the Mr. Banerjee living next door was taken to the hospital early morning.
I was surprised as I saw him heal and heart when I was going to a nearby Bar last evening. On further enquiry the milk man told me that he had severe pain in his stomach early morning and had to be rushed to the hospital. I took milk and closed the door. As soon as I closed the door I heard the sound of the door opening. A Sikh family lives next door and I could hear the Sardar ji uttering something in punjabi. I was too far to understand what he was saying, so i came closer to the main door. I could see the Sardar ji in a white vest and pajamas through the magic eye of my door. While enquiring about the incident he was busy applying fixo to his beard.

Then came his wife with his two children dressed in school dress. She rushed her children down the stairs as they were already late and their school bus was waiting for them.

I too started with my daily routine and preparations. I went in the balcony to brush my teeth. I could see the Chhole Bhature wala parking his cart. He was always at his place by 8:00 am. One of his companions had already washed the plates to serve the freshly prepared Chhole Bhature. He was famous for his pickle which the served along with the Chhole.
It was a regular sight for me, seeing people waiting for him to start off so without paying much attention to it I went straight into the room to find out what was ready to be worn. I saw nothing.

And I also knew the reason. I did not have my iron repaired. I had to do that last evening, but I forgot.

With little hesitation I opened the door to borrow it from the Sikh family. I rang their home bell and Sardar ji came out while tying his turban. I greeted him and asked for the iron to which he smiled.
He handed me the electric iron and softly whispered "Did you know what happened this morning". I like a small innocent child said "No". To which he asked me to come into the house. I had no way to go, so I entered.

Soon after I entered I saw Sardar ji's wife packing lunch for him. Sardar ji started off by describing me every minute detail as if forcing me to go to the hospital to meet him. I did not wanted that so I quickly and cleverly changed the topic to food. Sardar ji was a foodie and talking about food and dishes was his favorite topic.

As I was getting late so I sought his permission and stood up from the sofa. I quickly ironed my clothes and went to work. I came back in the evening I was informed by the guard that Mr. Banerjee died in the hospital. I felt bad and closed my eyes a recited a short prayer. He was no doubt a good human being and helpful person. This elder son was my good friend. He was also elected as the president of the society and there was almost everyone who knew him.

But to my surprise I did not saw many people who had gathering outside his flat to pay condolences. I quickly entered my flat and closed the door. From my balcony I could see Mrs. Sharma asking Mr. Sharma as to which sareer to wear.

0 Comments
Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape