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The
tree was
brightly
twinkling
and snow had
begun to fall,
but there was no
joyful spirit
in the heart of
Jimmy Paul.
He had passed
the age for
Santa
(was twelve in
early May),
and all his
mother's efforts
couldn't
brighten up his
day.
She suggested
his friends come
over,
thinking he'd
feel less alone,
but he said,
with eyes so
tearful,
"It's not
the same with
Jasper
gone."
Young Jim had
never had a
Christmas
without his
Jasper near,
for his dad had
bought the puppy
before Jim had
reached a year.
The two were
pals and
buddies;
they seldom were
apart,
and through the
years'
progressions
they had won
each other's
heart.
This year in
early autumn
his dog took ill
and died.
His death was
unexpected,
and little Jimmy
cried.
Then in the days
that followed,
young Jim was
always sad.
He rejected
every puppy
that was brought
home by his dad.
Now, it was
Christmas
morning;
there were gifts
beneath the
tree,
but Jim was not
excited,
because he felt
no cause for
glee.
Oh, he tried to
hide his
feelings
and display a
bit of cheer,
but his heart
remembered
Jasper,
and his eye
blinked back a
tear.
When the
presents had
been opened
and all the
cards were read,
young Jim said
to his mother,
"Think I'll
go back to
bed."
But as he turned
to exit,
something seemed
to catch his
eye;
he saw it behind
the Christmas
tree
as he was
passing by.
He stopped and
looked more
closely
and saw a starry
Christmas bag,
and from inside
protruded
a tail that
seemed to wag.
He peered inside
the package
and much to his
surprise
he saw a little
Jasper
with playful
puppy eyes!
Jim motioned to
his father
to come around
and see.
"Oh, Daddy,
did you buy him
especially for
me?
"Where did
you ever find
him,
he'll be a lot
of fun,
and he looks so
much like Jasper
that I'm sure he
is his
son!"
But Daddy,
somewhat
puzzled,
could only shake
his head.
"Well, no,
I did not get
him;
must be from Mom
instead."
His Mother
quickly told
them
she did not get
the pup,
then Jim with much
excitement
scooped the
doggie up.
The puppy licked
Jim's hands and
face,
and Jimmy shook
his paws
and looked into
his eyes and
said,
"You are
from Santa
Claus!"
Now Jimmy was so
happy,
because in his
heart was joy,
and love was
quite apparent
between the
puppy and the
boy.
Copyright ©
2004 Ruth Gillis |
