Ann's Christmas

Ann and her mother lived in a small unattractive cottage. It was party time. Christmas was so close, and so was her birthday. Ann wished she could get a new dress with frills and lace as a wonderful Christmas gift. All her friends would be getting new frocks. But Ann did not want to ask her Mom for a new dress. She knew how hard her mom worked to make both ends meet. Maybe she could make a wish and maybe Santa Claus would come!!!

   Ann couldn’t help dreaming about the new frock even though she knew that Santa Claus is just an imaginary character.

   Her classmates were talking only of Christmas celebrations which were nearing.

   My rich aunt is surely going to give me a pretty branded doll again, said Ria.

    I have been hinting about that costly watch to my parents. They are bound to gift that to me told Tessi.

   Ann felt left out in those conversations. She neither had rich parents nor rich aunt & uncle to give her expensive gifts.

    It was not just gift that worried Ann. It was her mother. Nowadays she was working overtime and looked pale and worn out.

   The days passed and soon it was Christmas Eve. In everyone’s, except Ann’s, house a Christmas tree adorned the living room. In the kitchens there hung the lovely aroma of freshly baked cakes and turkey. But nothing lovely was being cooked in Ann’s house. Every child went to bed eagerly waiting for the lovely gifts that he or she would receive the next day. Ann went to bed with a heavy heart. She knew that there would be no gifts for her.

    Ann wished with her whole heart that at least this time she would get a gift from Santa Claus. Ann slowly drifted off to sleep. She dreamt of Santa riding in the snow on his reindeers.

Ring, Ring, Ann jumped, hearing alarm.