This story was written by me in 1990 and appeared in an old edition of Saint George’s News. It is now presented here, partly re-written and with brilliant new illustrations by Amy Broadbent. Thank you very much Amy!
“Well, what’s it FOR?” I had protested loudly, falling over my feet and everybody elses.
There was A Tree in the living room in a large pot!
I repeat, A TREE!
Why?
Trees belong outside – or so I thought.
Don’t trees belong outside?
A long, dull thing was then taken out of the box.
It was handled very carefully (which made me wonder if it was asleep). This consisted of a long, thin cord, the same colour as The Tree, with little raindrop-shaped ‘bumps’ at even intervals. Not as attractive as the Silvery Blue Thing. I was told that this dull creature was called ‘lights’ but I yawned in disapproval. Long Dull Thing was carefully arranged around The Tree.
Silvery Blue Thing was then taken out of the box. It was very long and it too, was draped around The Tree.
“You see, Amber”, (That’s me, named after one of the colours of the leaves in Autumn – I was born in the Autumn). “It will soon be Christmas time when we remember the birth of Jesus. To help celebrate we have a Christmas tree. We also do lots of other things, like put up decorations and send cards and presents”.
Who is Jesus? Will he visit us?
What are ‘decorations’? Can you eat them?
What are ‘cards’ and ‘presents’?
I put on my ‘I-am-puzzled-please-explain-more’ expression and waited.
A big oblong box was brought in to the room and placed on to the floor. There were Things in it and one popped out to say “Hello” in strange, rustling language. It was blue and silver spangled and feathery in feel.
What do you think went on The Tree next? Round Silver and Blue Balls! I had fallen over my feet in surprise! What a thing to put on a Tree! One Silver Ball rolled away so I pretended it was a mouse and pounced on it. Silver Ball continued to roll, with me clinging on, and so we rolled over and over until we came to a sudden halt by The Tree Pot. I was going to suggest another game, ‘Somersaults In The Air’ but Silver Ball had to go back on to The Tree.
However, it was not on a high branch and so perhaps I may be able to persuade him to come down to play later when no one would be watching….
The Tree was looking very splendid although my head still buzzed with questions and my eyes were sore with staring.
Shimmering silver strands were placed over each branch next. This was taking such a long time and I grew tired of watching. Instead, I discovered that if I stretched up as tall as I could and followed with a carefully timed spring (plus quite a bit of scrambling!) I could climb up in to the box. As I had rolled in other ‘Things’ had crackled their protest, which made me jump. That made them crackle even more! These ‘Things’ were large, flat sheets of patterned, shiny stuff. They tried to confuse me by being difficult to stand on but I wasn’t going to go away yet. There was Something-Lurking-In-A-Bag-In-The-Corner’ that I wanted to investigate.
Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance as my pet ‘Two Legs’ scooped me up in her arms, announcing it was lunchtime.
“We’ll finish decorating this afternoon”.
I could hardly wait but, I would have to and, as I nibbled my lunch hungrily, I daydreamed of playing with my friend, Silver Ball, of the Something-Lurking-In-A-Bag-In-The-Corner-Of-The-Box that I would rescue, even of climbing The Tree. Now that would be a feat!
My pet ‘Two Legs’ tapping me gently interrupted my Daydream.
“Come along, sleepy head. You have had quite a nap! Come and see the Living Room now!”
Lynn Winter
