Christmas, Grandpa and Magic of Santa!

Christmas is coming in a day’s time and entire Goa is getting decked up.

Grandpa as usual went to the vegetable market and brought home vegetables and groceries.

Little Ron has come from abroad this year to spend some happy moments and Christmas with his grandpa Mark, a very loving human being.

 Ron is unable to understand, though, why Grandpa is not showing any interest and excitement.

‘Grandpa, Christmas is coming in a day, the night of Santa Claus and gifts! Aren’t you happy!’

Grandpa was combing his dog Toby’s fur. ‘We should be excited for real living beings, instead of the proverbial Santa who never shows up!’ Grandpa looked up and said.

‘Ron you are a kid, I won’t discourage you. You can go to the nearby shop and bring stuffs for decorating Christmas tree!’

Ron was surprised!

Ron went out thinking of all the Christmas stuffs, wandering aimlessly. While buying Christmas tree and the decorative objects he came across his little friends Josh, Nick, Joy and Tina. They were amazed and happy beyond limit to see Ron after a long gap. Ron had left India when he was six, four years have passed. Today all the kids are ten.

They hugged one another. All the kids came in to decorate his Christmas tree. They choose the best one along with decorative lights, stockings, wreaths, swags, tree skirts, candles, garlands, hanging icicles, figurines, balls and stars all.

As evening descended Grandpa saw all the kids come to play with Ron and decorate the Christmas tree!

The children requested Grandpa to join them. ‘I don’t believe in the Christmas tree and the concept of Santa Claus!’ Grandpa was hesitant.

Coming forward Ron said, ‘Grandpa…Santa is real! Believe me whatever wish we write on the Christmas tree he comes. Yes he comes and fulfils.’

‘Why do you force me to believe things which do not exist, why don’t you understand Ron!’, Grandpa snubbed Ron loudly.

A sobbing Grandpa quickly went to the veranda, carrying Toby in his arms tightly.

Time to move into Grandpa’s bedroom. Sitting closely they discussed, there must be something which Grandpa is hiding. We need to find out, all said. The kids started searching for something important, unsure whether it will be fruitful. Little Tina and Josh, continuing the hunt, could find a small casket full of hidden stuff below Grandpa’s bed!

Coming to Ron’s bedroom, in desperate curiosity, kids open it. There were very old photographs and one hand written letter that time has made pale yellow.

The kids surprise knew no bound when they found a few pictures of two kids in the box, one kid was looking somewhat like Grandpa and the other kid seemed Ron!

The kids open the timeworn letter. It reads ‘Jerry forgive me, you left me on my birthday. I could not protect you my friend. If magic is real, if Santa is real Jerry, you need to come back, play with me again. I wish the magic bell, again, that you got for me!’

The kids all watched one another in dismay. Grandpa had a childhood friend Jerry, now they realised, who looked exactly like Ron. He was Grandpa’s best friend. Way back he died and never came back! They realised.

The wise kids knew what they have to do now. They took Grandpa’s old letter and wedged the letter lovingly on the Christmas tree collectively wishing, ‘We believe in magic and we believe in love. Santa you are the love, spread your magic spell and do something which will bring back the happiness in Grandpa’s life!’

The kids went home. Little Ron saw Grandpa had fallen asleep in the balcony sofa. A little drop of tear fell from Ron’s eye.

‘Come on, get up Mark. See what I have got!’ Mark opened his eyes. He saw he has turned into a ten-year old kid, Jerry beside him. Both of them were playing at a children’s park. Mark had fallen asleep as he was little weary. He had played the whole day with Jerry and now he has to go back home.

Jerry kept his hand over Mark’s head and said, ‘Buddy get up, see tonight is your birthday and this is for you – a magic bell!’

The bell was so beautiful! Mark got up and hugged Jerry, ‘Thank you, this is the most special gift for my birthday Jerry! I promise you today, that when I will get a small pup for me, I will tie the bell to his neck!’

Ting Ting… Ting Ting…

The magic bell started ringing softly, all of a sudden.  It was ringing continuously. Mark opened his eyes to find Toby playing near the Christmas tree, hopping and jumping with Ron!

He felt amazed to see Toby wearing the same beautiful magic bell that his friend Jerry had gifted him in his dream!

Mark smiled softly. He wrote something on a white paper and stuck it on the Christmas tree.

 ‘Thank You Santa, yes you are for REAL!’

Christmas, Grandpa and Magic of Santa!

If you loved this article, you may also like these as well.

• A Love Story in a Stable
• Nandini
• Second Chance
• Mountain can move