ENTERTAINING SANSCARS

[Guest guest]

GROUP MEMBERS,

 

sample story enclosed.

very neat stuff here:

for more, visit www.hinduweb.org/home/children_and_youth/chuckoo

 

One Winter Morning...

 

It was another cold, early Sunday morning. Leafless trees were laced

with snow and icicles. Snow covered the roof tops of the few cars

that occasionally crawled through the hazardous main road. It was an

old neighborhood, where it was not uncommon to find a gas-station

next to a home, or a pizza place across the street. Grandmother's

house was on the corner. The front of her house faced the main road,

and the right side of the house faced a quiet street. The

neighborhood seemed vacant, and most were still in bed. Only the

neighbor's snowman dared to stand outside. Grandmother recalled

how

the children across the quiet street had made him the day before.

Noisy and joyful they were, living the childhood years as children

should. She would watch the children play from her living room

window. These children were a gift to grandmother, for they added

cheer to her evenings—evenings which would otherwise be dark and

gloomy, for she was not yet able to appreciate silence for too long a

time.

 

The snowman seemed to have a life of its own, yet he stood there all

alone. He was very quiet. And standing there he was, just as he was

the day before.

 

The chilling wind was fresh, but after some time outside, walking

into the warm house was very comforting. Grandmother came quickly

through the back door, carrying some fire wood. The warm fire-place

sent goose-bumps up grandmother's spine.

 

The Miller's did not own a television set, so their house was

somewhat silent. The lighting was dim. The surrounding trees blocked

out much light. Yet, somehow it was very calm, warm, and comfortable.

Grandfather's tobacco pipe gave a deceivingly sweet, pleasant

aroma.

The two lived alone, and grandmother did not mind the smoke.

 

Due to tobacco related health problems, many times grandpa had tried

to quit. Over the years, he came to the conclusion that bad habits

were not at all difficult to start, but extremely hard to end. " Never

start it, " was his tip for the youngsters.

 

" Cookie will be coming any minute now, Barney, " said grandma. Cookie

was their grand-daughter. She was five. Grandfather was of a quiet

temperament, though often he was prone to break the silence. This

time, he did not utter a word. He understood what grandmother was

implying, and put out his pipe.

 

The two were retired and lived comfortably. Barney enjoyed reading to

pass his time. Beth enjoyed sewing and cooking. Their son lived not

too far away, and they enjoyed his company.

 

Barney walked back to his office room, and lo and behold! – on

his

desk was a beautifully wrapped birthday gift. Beth had silently

followed him into the room and she smiled as he turned his head.

Grandfather was surprised, because the last time they had celebrated

his birthday was twelve years ago. As he got older, it seemed there

was no longer a reason to celebrate.

 

" Gee, Beth. You didn't have to do that. But thanks, " he said. A few

days earlier, Barney's watch had broke.

 

It gave Beth a good reason to celebrate his birthday. Grandfather

quickly opened the gift.

 

" You bought me a watch? " asked Barney.

 

" Yes. Don't you liked it? It's the same watch I showed you in the

newspaper advertisement. You said it looked good. "

 

" Yeah, but I didn't know you were getting it for me. "

 

" Well, of course I was getting it for you. Who did you think I was

getting it for? Yours broke, didn't it? "

 

" Yeah, but I can get it fixed. Besides, I love the watch I have. I've

had it for twenty years, and I don't want to change it now. I'm use

to this one. I hope you kept the receipt. Maybe they'll take it back. "

 

In a faint, disappointed tone, grandmother stuttered, " Yes. I kept

it. " She looked a little nervous.

 

" Oh now c'mon! You don't have to take this personally. It's a

nice

watch. Really it is…. "

 

The morning passed on and grandmother overcame her disappointment.

She started preparing her special home made pizza for lunch. The

aroma from the kitchen was rather pleasant.

 

The doorbell rang. It was their son and daughter-in-law. The

grandparents were very happy to see little Cookie. They sat

comfortably in the living room and enjoyed the late morning.

 

Then quite abruptly, Cookie marched over to grandfather, and took out

a little plastic container from her pocket. " Happy birthday,

Grandpa! " she cried. Grandpa was quite amused. And also were the rest

of them. No-one had told her that it was grandpa's birthday--not even

her parents.

 

Grandfather was already delighted. " Where did you get that from, you

little munchkin?! "

 

" Daddy said it was your birthday today. So I got this from the store.

Do you like it? " It so happened that Cookie overheard a conversation

that her daddy had with her mother, and found out about grandpa's

birthday. She got a little something with a quarter from the machine

at the store where they had stopped along the way. Her parents did

not see her cranking the candy/toy machine. Had they seen her, they

would have stopped her, for it was common knowledge that grandfather

did not like to celebrate birthdays anymore.

 

Grandfather opened the plastic container. It was a Mickey Mouse

pendant. His lips grew to be as wide as a banana. With a big smile,

he said, " Well Cookie, this is the best pendant I've ever had. Its

beautiful! " He put it on right away!

 

" I'm glad you like it " said Cookie. Grandpa gave her a little kiss.

 

Grandmother was also pleased, but she gave grandpa a funny look.

Without words, she spoke, " Well, you didn't like my watch but that

Mickey Mouse pendant looks good to you. "

 

Well, they all enjoyed their lunch and had a grand-old time. Then it

was time to say good-bye. The front door shut. The company had left.

Warm feelings continued to linger in the air for some time.

 

" That Cookie really had us all surprised, " said grandma.

 

" Yes, she did, " replied grandpa.

 

" And what a lovely gift she got her grandpa, " continued Beth.

 

" Yes, it was, " declared Barney.

 

" I bet you never ever got anything quite as lovely as that? " asked

grandma.

 

Grandfather fell silent. After a short pause, he spoke. " No, my dear.

There was one gift that was just as lovely. " He went over to the

table, picked up the new watch, and put it on. Then she opened her

arms and ran to him. " Oh Barney! " she cried. And they hugged.