The legend of the orphan's gift
A young orphan lived in a village. It was Christmas time and it was customary for everyone to drop gifts at the foot of a large Christmas tree in the center of the village. On Christmas morning, the world gathered around the tree to sing Christmas carols and distribute gifts to those who were very poor.
For Christmas, the orphan little boy wanted to put a present under the tree. But, he didn't have much to give. In reality, the only things he owned were a small cart, a red scarf, and a black penny.
The boy reflects: I know, he said, I will leave my cart under the tree, even if it is small, someone will surely find it as useful as me. But as the boy pulled his cart to place it under the tree, another child placed a brand new, shiny cart in it. "My cart is old and dented, it's rusty and has so many scratches!" I cannot give it as a gift. ” Sadly, he pulled his cart away from the tree. Then he thought, "Maybe someone can use my scarf." Even though it has lost some of its color, it still keeps me warm. ” So the boy took off his scarf from around his neck and came to place it under the tree. Just as he bent down to put it down, another child placed a brand new, soft scarf under the tree.
The little orphan said to himself: "My scarf is too old to put under the tree." He put the scarf back around his neck and walked away. When he put his hands in his pockets, he closed his fingers over the penny. Surely someone could use the penny, the child thought. But as he was about to place it under the tree, another person placed a box of gold coins there.
Now the boy was very sad. My black penny is so small, he thought, no one will notice. What can a penny be used for next to a box of gold? "
So there seemed to be nothing the orphan could put under the Christmas tree. As he slowly walked home, he heard a choir practicing Christmas carols for the next morning. The song the choir was humming gave him an idea.
The next morning, all the people in the village hurried to the Christmas tree. As they gathered together singing, each person looked at the gift they had placed under the tree, hoping it was the most beautiful of all. Everyone saw the brand new cart, the soft scarf and the golden box. They also noticed something else: the little orphan, all folded in on himself, was sleeping soundly there.
Because, you see, the boy had remembered something very important: When God wanted to give the most beautiful gift, he had given himself.
