The Child

Daddy said “Don’t open the box,” but it’s Christmas. Who doesn’t open stuff at Christmas-time? When Dad’s not looking I pull on the ribbon and climb inside my spaceship, rattling, shaking its way to the stars. But I don’t know why it lands me on a freezing cold hillside.
Sheep bleat miserably and Christmas tree fairies sing carols out of tune. A boy tugs my arm, shouting, “Hurry! Come and see.”
Then my Dad takes the box away from me. “I thought I told you…” I open my eyes to Sunday’s choir and church. But how?
What’s in the box?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Joyful Tears

Image
I went to the release party for the NIWA "Journey" anthology last weekend. Someone told me my story "Siobhan of the Roses" almost made him cry. He made my day! Go to  https://www.amazon.com/JOURNEY-2025-NIWA-Anthology-Anthologies/dp/B0FBS945TN/ to see if it almost makes you cry too.
Read more

Putting the Cart before the Horse Perhaps

 The sign said Pre-Kart. I wondered what a pre-cart might be. A go-kart from the time before go-karts? Maybe something your parents pulled you in, like a wagon. Or maybe a go-kart before the time of wheels, and a Pre-Kart could be just a box. Or it could mean Pre-K Art, but by then I'd walked a long way past the sign and couldn't know.
Read more

Missed Connections

I did not answer Did not see Your message. Did Not mean To leave you hanging. No reply. Now I’m Delighted that You caught me. Found me innocent No hanging offense After all, or fence To separate us, but We’ll meet. I’m glad You’re going To drop by.
Read more