Why Won't Santa Visit Poor Children?

A Christmas story from the Philippines by Roy Thomsitt

 

 

Di's Christmas Eve In Estrella - Darkness Falls

During the afternoon of Christmas Eve, as they had gone to see the falls and then had a videoke session back home, Di's sense of anticipation had grown. After Maricel had arrived, Di had started to tingle inside as it hit her that Santa would be coming to her house during the night.

Now that darkness had arrived, on the night before Christmas, she tingled inside and out. It was the strangest of feelings, yet one of wonderment; more than that, it was something totally new to Di. What she did not realise, though, was that what she was starting to feel, would not just be new to her. Had it happened to any other child on earth, it would be new to them too. But it would not happen to any other child; only to Di.

There were always small parties on Christmas Eve, in the gardens of some of the villagers; those with a little bit of money to spare would buy some extra rice and fish, and sometimes spaghetti, beef, pork or chicken, and would share their blessings with neighbours. At midnight, it would get very noisy with fireworks from many of the gardens as everyone celebrated the arrival of Christmas Day.

This year was a bit different, though. Because Di's house had been the centre of attention in recent weeks, her Ma and Aunt Paula, and some neighbours, were preparing food for a larger party than usual, in Di's garden. They had been busy much of the afternoon, and were still preparing the feast once darkness had come.

Di wanted to show Maricel the Christmas lights, so she, Tina, Maricel, and Minnie walked along the dirt track to the road, and then a short way out of the village so they could all experience the view of the lights along a straight stretch of road down to the highway.

"This is wonderful Di. There is nothing like this in Sweden," Maricel remarked, as she took in the spectacle of the lights as far as the eye could see.

Di was surprised, as she thought every other country was rich and could have everything they wanted. She began to realise that Estrella truly was a special place at Christmas. No ice, no snow, no snowmen; just the usual sound of tropical frogs and crickets in the darkness, and the heavy humid heat of a Palawan evening, wrapped around every pore of her skin.

They stopped and sat at the edge of the road for a while, just chatting and marvelling at the endless avenue of Christmas lights. Maricel told the others what Sweden was like, and about the cold and the snow. Perfect stories for Christmas Eve in a tropical country. Di loved to listen, and took it all in intently, not missing a word that came from Maricel's lips.

As they stood again to start the walk back to, and through, the village, Di was swept by another wave of tingling. Only this time it was stronger, and she imagined that she were a sparkler at midnight, with all the sparks flying from her.

Tina was very close to Di; they had an empathy now like twins. Tina had been observing Di closely, though not obviously, from the moment they had left the house to see the Christmas lights. Within a few moments of starting the walk back, Tina sensed Di was experiencing something special. Tina deliberately slowed down so that she and Di would fall back a little way from the others.

When they were a few metres behind, Tina squeezed Di's hand, and Di looked up at her.

"Are you alright?" Tina whispered.

Di's eyes were awash with happiness and awe, and she knew something wonderful was happening to her. It was all new and strange, but despite her young age, she knew she had nothing to fear. But she also knew, somehow, that she was not allowed to tell Tina. All she could do was smile and nod, and that is what she did.

Tina, though, seemed to understand, and did not feel the need to ask again. She was happy to experience what Di was going through, just by being close to her; as if she were a hidden guest in a secret world.

 

 

 

 

 

Next: Santa Claus Story (cont)