Why Won't Santa Visit Poor Children?

A Christmas story from the Philippines by Roy Thomsitt

 

 

Di Switches On The Christmas Lights

Di's joyous tears were soon wiped away as she went over to the fireplace for a closer look. She had never seen anything like it before, and nor had anybody else in the village. It was so easy for her to imagine Santa Claus coming down there in the darkness of Christmas morning. Papa squeezed her hand, and she rested her head momentarily against his arm before he guided her back outside, along with her sisters and brother, and Tina.

Ma and Aunt Paula stood by the front door of the house as all the villagers and others waiting outside were invited to pass through, from front to side door, to view the fireplace in its finished state.

Now back outside, Di realised that other things too had changed while she had been away. The well looked a bit different, and Di gave her father a puzzled smile. He took her across to the well and explained they now had an electric pump, and he had been able to cover the dangerous gap that Santa Claus might fall down on a dark night.

Di was relieved: "Thank you Papa. I know I said Santa was the nicest man in the whole world, but you are really!"

Papa just smiled, contented to see his distressed daughter return home after ten days, and now overwhelmed with happiness. All the planning and hard work had been worth every moment.

Di was now looking beyond the well, beyond even the garden, to the adjacent lot. It had all been cleared and the first signs of building were taking place, with the fresh foundations of a new home.

"We have new neighbours Pa?"

For Di it was really one lovely surprise after another:

"No, Di," Papa replied, steering her towards the opening in the fence to the adjacent lot. "We had so many gifts from people, we can build a new concrete house with a good roof. People have been so kind because of you Di; everyone says your special."

Di was excited initially, but then looked back at the little house where she had always lived; especially at the chimney.

"Don't worry," Papa grinned. "It will have a chimney! A twin to this one," he added, nodding towards the new chimney.

"Wow," said Di. "A concrete house, like Aunt Paula."

"Well, not as nice as hers or as big. But we won't have the rainwater coming in any more!" Papa told her.

Slowly the crowds dispersed from around the house, and Di's excited family were left on their own to enjoy the homecoming of Di, and the welcoming of their special guests, Aunt Paula, Tina and the store owner. But whether they were inside or out, Di could never stop herself looking at the chimney or the fireplace.

Later in the afternoon Di went to sit on the bench at the side of the garden, and recalled all the events of the past two weeks and more. Tina sat beside her.

"Our house looks so funny with a big chimney," Di laughed.

Tina agreed but said nothing, just held Di's hand. They were special cousins now, closer than ever.

Di looked directly into Tina's eyes: "I'm so happy Tina. It's like a miracle. Papa is a magician!", she said.

"Yes, a magician," Tina had to agree.

But the excitement for Di was far from over yet. It would soon be dark, and the crowds would gather at the main highway again for the switching on of the lights.

 

 

Next: Santa Claus Story (cont)