Page 11 - Good News December 2016 paper
P. 11
n spite of the fun and laughter, 13-year- “Please choose whatever presents you
old Frank Wilson was not happy. It was would like for your children from the sled.”
Itrue that he had received all the presents
he wanted. And he enjoyed the traditional “Why, God bless you!” the amazed woman
Christmas Eve reunion with relatives for answered gratefully. She selected some
the purpose of exchanging gifts and good candles, a game, the toy airplane and a
wishes. But, Frank was not happy because puzzle. When she took the Scout flashlight,
this was his first Christmas without his Frank almost cried out! Finally, the
brother, Steve, who during the year, had stockings were full.
been killed by a reckless driver.
“Won't you tell me your name?” she asked,
Frank missed his brother and the close as Frank was leaving.
companionship they had together. Frank
said goodbye to his relatives and explained “Just call me the Christmas Scout,” he
to his parents that he was leaving a little replied.
early to see a friend; and from there he
could walk home. The visit left Frank touched, and with an
unexpected flicker of joy in his heart. He
Since it was cold outside, Frank put on his understood that his sorrow was not the
new plaid jacket. It was his FAVOURITE gift. only sorrow in the world. Before he left the
He placed the other presents on his new Flats, he had given away the remainder of
sled. Then Frank headed out, hoping to find his gifts. The plaid jacket had gone to a
the patrol leader of his Boy Scout Group. shivering boy.
Frank always felt understood by him.
Though rich in wisdom, he lived in the Now Frank trudged homeward, cold and
Flats, the section of town where most of the uneasy. How could he explain to his
poor lived, and his patrol leader did odd parents that he had given away all his
jobs to help support his family. presents?
To Frank's disappointment, his friend was “Where are your presents, son?” asked his
not at home. As Frank hiked down the father as Frank entered the house. Frank
street toward home, he caught glimpses of answered, “I gave them away.” been fleeting. Frank thought of his brother, and
trees and decorations in many of the small sobbed himself to sleep.
houses. Then, through one front window, “The airplane from Aunt Susan? Your coat
he glimpsed a shabby room with limp from Grandma? Your flashlight? We The next morning, he came downstairs to find his
stockings hanging over an empty fireplace. thought you were happy with your gifts?” parents listening to Christmas music on the radio.
A woman was seated nearby… weeping. Then the announcer spoke: “Merry Christmas,
The stockings reminded him of the way he “I was very happy,” the boy answered everybody! The nicest Christmas story we have this
and his brother had always hung theirs quietly. morning comes from the Flats. A crippled boy down
side by side. The next morning, they would there has a new sled this morning, another young-
be bursting with presents. “But Frank, how could you be so ster has a fine plaid jacket, and several families
impulsive?” his mother asked. “How will report that their children were made happy last night
A sudden thought struck Frank - he had not we explain to the relatives who spent so by gifts from a teenage boy who simply called
done his “good deed” for the day. Before much time and gave so much love himself the 'Christmas Scout.'
the impulse passed, he knocked on the shopping for you?” His father was firm.
door. “Yes?” the sad voice of the woman “You made your choice, Frank. We cannot Frank felt his father's arms go around his shoulders,
asked. afford any more presents.” and he saw his mother smiling through her tears.
“Why didn't you tell us? We didn't understand. We
“May I come in?” asked Frank. With his brother gone, and his family are so proud of you, son!”
“You are very welcome,” she said, seeing disappointed in him, Frank suddenly felt
his sled full of gifts, and assuming that he dreadfully alone. He had not expected a The carols came over the air again filling the room
was making a collection, “but I have no reward for his generosity, for he knew that a with music: “Praises, sing to God the King, and
food or gifts for you. I have nothing for my good deed always should be its own peace to men on Earth.”
own children.” reward; however, he wondered if he would
ever again truly recapture joy in his life. He [From: Sam Bogan, Tears in my Heart, James
“That's not why I am here,” Frank replied. thought he had this evening, but it had Collins, Xulon Press, 2007].
