The Christmas Gift

It was winter and Henry, a ten year old boy couldn't wait for Christmas to come. Every year during Christmas, he used to spend some quality time with his friends and family. He loves to get Christmas gifts, eat cakes and hang out with friends. This winter also he was busy making plans with his friends and family for Christmas. His father Charles Cook was the owner of a toy shop in Cardiff. Every Christmas Henry get's a large collection of different kinds of toys from his father. This time Henry was expecting such gifts in Christmas. 

But suddenly the news of his father's sickness brought an air of sorrow into his life. A few days were left for Christmas to come, when one day Henry on returning from his school noticed that his mother Lucie Cook, a housewife, was not present at home. Usually, when Henry returns from school, her mother opens the door and quickly prepares a cup of health drink for him. But that day, his grandma opened the door and prepared food for him. 

Observing this, Henry asked,"Grandma where is my mom?"

"She is not at home dear." replied Grandma.

"where is she?" Henry asked.Grandma thinking not to tell him about his father's illness replied,"She went to one of her friend's house to meet her friend as she is not well."

Henry listened and went to his room. While going, he observed his father's briefcase lying on the bed in his parent's room. He went into the room and noticed that his father's wristwatch that he used to wear was lying on the bed. This made him understand that his father was present a few hours ago but now he was not at home. Without saying anything to his grandma he went straight to his room and locked himself. He realised that something must have happened to his father which he doesn't know. He remembered that a few days back he was asking his father for a better Christmas this time, demanding the new type of toys and games that has arrived in the market. In reply, his father told him that he will try to give those kinds of gifts if possible. Sitting alone in his room, Henry was feeling tensed for his father. 

His grandma was thinking about why Henry has yet not arrived for lunch and decided to call Henry. While she was about to enter Henry's room, she observed that the room was locked from inside, and then she started shouting, "Henry Henry open the door dear, the lunch is ready." Suddenly realizing someone calling him, Henry listened that it was his grandma calling him for lunch and he replied," I will not come grandma, first tell me where is my mom, dad?" With this reply Henry went off to sleep with a hungry stomach asking badly for some food. Listening to Henry's reply, his grandma  said,"First you open the door Henry telling you where they are." But till that time Henry didn't give a reply as he was upset for his father and was trying to sleep. Grandma waited outside Henry's room for few minutes expecting Henry would come out and will have lunch. But no such things happened, and grandma went back to her room ate one apple and went to sleep sacrificing her regular lunch for her only grandson.

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About five to six hours passed the clock showed 6:30 pm when the door bell rang. Grandma jumped out from her bed and saw the clock and said, "Oh my GOD!! it's 6:30 now." Again the doorbell rang and hearing it grandma quickly went and opened the door. It was Lucie her daughter-in-law totally exhausted and sweating out of fear. 

"Is everything all right Lucie? Is my son alright  dear?" asked grandma.

"His condition is not so good mom, he is suffering from mental illness. Doctor said too much work and mental pressure can cause this type of illness. I am very upset mom" replied Lucie. 

Hearing  this  grandma became upset but tried to calm down Lucie and said, "Don't worry my dear, he will be fine very soon. I think the workload is bothering him very much. Once he becomes fit I will tell him to have someone who will help him in the shop."

"Yes, that is a necessity but the thing that bothers him all the time are the demands and wishes of  Henry. Every time during Christmas he has new demands, this time he wanted to have those new types of toys that have arrived in the market recently. How could he fulfill such demands on a regular basis. This is the time when some extra money he can earn and we can spend some good time together." said Lucie.

"Yes I also think he needs to be controlled now, otherwise his demands will increase day by day," replied Grandma. 

As grandma and Lucie were conversing with each other, Henry went out of his room and seeing his mother, he quickly ran to her and asked,  "Where is my dad ?" "He is in the hospital my dear, suffering from mental illness" replied Lucie. And about half an hour she explained to her son how this illness can be caused and also tried to make him realize that sometimes parents could not fulfill all the demands of their children and that children have to understand that they might not get whatever they'll ask for it.

After listening to his mother's words, Henry realized his faults and remembered how he disturbed and irritated his father with his constant demands and how his father told him nothing and brought gifts for him not only on Christmas but on every occasion. He then asked his mother that he would like to meet his father and like to say sorry for his mistakes. As per his wish, the next day Henry, his mother, and his grandma all went to visit his father at the hospital during the visiting hours. Seeing them all together his father was surprised and Henry quickly ran and hugged his father and said, "You are the best Christmas gift that I  have. I don't want any other things."

After a few days, On Christmas, Henry's father returned home through not fully cured of the illness. But, they all celebrated the day together.

Written By PRITAM MITRA