It all began on Christmas Eve. Outside the snow was falling, covering the countryside like a soft, white blanket. Icicles on the trees twinkled in the glow of the candlelight in the windowsills. Inside the Cleary's house the children were excited, waiting for Daddy to arrive with the Christmas tree.
After what seemed like hours, they heard the car as it slowly drove up the driveway. They ran out of the house to see it. The Christmas Tree was huge and Mammy never thought it would fit into the house. The children's determined attitude paid off and soon they were hanging the decorations on the tree. Tonight Santa would come and put presents under the tree.
Mary, who was seven, was putting the decorations on the lower part of the tree. Mark was helping Dad arrange the fairy lights. Mam was busy stuffing the turkey. To Dad's frustration, just as they plugged in the lights, bang went the fuse. Raging he stomped to the garage, in search of a fuse, Mark trailing behind him. Mary, peering around to make sure no one was looking, grabbed the glittering gold star from the box. She crept up the ladder, leaned over to position the star. Reaching over too far, the ladder toppled over, sending Mary hurtling to the ground.
The thundering crash and Mary's scream caused Mam to drop the turkey. Dad and Mark also heard her agonising cries. They rushed to the sitting room and found Mary lying on the ground, crying. Dad lifted Mary in his arms while Mam and Mark removed the snow from the windscreen of the car. The journey to the hospital was a nightmare, but thankfully Mary was recovering. Mark couldn't help but notice the people lying on the benches and in the shop doors, covered in cardboard and trying in vain to keep warm. After a short time, Mary was released from hospital with just a sprained ankle. That night, when Mark heard Santa's sleigh bells overhead, he hoped that Santa would remember the poor.
Mark woke up early on Christmas morning, so he woke Mary. He carried her down to the sitting room. They went into the room and switched on the lights and their eyes shone in surprise at all the scintillating presents under the huge Christmas Tree. It was definitely a Christmas they would never forget.
That Christmas, the children learned that turkeys and trees are not as important as family, love, and shelter!
The End.
