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December 14, 2014
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| She said to her husband, "This year, our Christmas presents should be simpler." Her husband who was eating dinner raised his face from the newspaper, "What do you mean?" She explained: When she was browsing in a bookstore earlier in the afternoon, she happened to run across a book that she read when she was young. It was the story of O.Henry. In this story, the husband bought a comb for his wife for a Christmas present. But because of being poor, he had to sell his old watch that was passed down from his father and grandfather. In the meantime, his wife sold her blonde hair to get money, and bought a wonderful chain for his watch. She knew her husband's watch had an old leather strap. When they showed up with their presents, they came to understand that their presents had no meaning anymore. But the author had called it, 'wise men's presents'. She added, "Compared to this story, our life, I mean a modern life, becomes kind of wealthy. We can buy anything for Christmas, of course within the limitations of our salaries. But, are we as wise as the
She said, "I know. But what I wanted to say is that modern people should be more sensitive about the meaning of Christmas. Nowadays we just enjoy a big dinner and pay a lot of money for presents." He said, "So, you suggested that we should make our presents simpler. I don't know whether it makes sense or not. But, in that case, how much should we use for them?" She said, "We could quit to exchange presents this year." He was surprised at her insistence about this issue and said, "Ok. If you insist, we don't need to exchange presents this year. We don't have kids. In fact, our presents have become similar recently. It might be a good idea to take a break with presents giving this time, and think about Christmas' original meaning. And another thing: how about not eating out this year, and make something at home? I'll help you." It was their recent custom to eat out in an expensive restaurant on Christmas day. Her eyes shone, "That's a good idea! I'll make something special. I'll find recipes my mother gave me. This year my company will have a day off on Christmas day. The husband followed, "In that case, I'll also take a day off. I can prepare something." Christmas day came. She started preparing their dinner from the morning time. They had bought ingredients last weekend. He asked her if she needed help. She said she enjoyed doing this herself, and she didn't need him to disturb things. So, he proceeded with plan B. He rented a truck and went to the mountain side and dug out a big fir tree. (Fir trees are famous for Christmas trees. He had permission to get one at a very cheap price.) He also collected an uncountable number of colored leaves, pinecones, acorns, and some small branches. When he returned home, the boy from next door was looking at his truck that had the big tree in it. The boy seemed to be very curious about his plan. So, the husband asked him for help and the boy returned to his house to ask for permission. He returned with a smile. They first dug up an area of grass in the garden and planted the big tree there. They started to make decorations for the Christmas tree. First, they cut the colored leaves into star shapes. He had to prepare star patterns using a plastic board, so they were able to cut them easily with cutter knives. There appeared a hundred stars of colored leaves, yellow, red, and a mixture of red and green. Then, they taped short strings on each star. Next, they started to tie acorns using strings and needles by equal distance of 10 centimeters or so. It was like a neckless, although it was more than 20 meters long. And then, they started to make pinecones sets, attaching three pinecones together with strings. They also made cane shaped decorations by curving small branches. Next, they shaved the surface of some branches and put them together to form a fifty centimeter big star, which would be attached to the top of the tree. By the time they finished the preparation of the decorations, the neighbors came and looked at their work. He asked them to help decorate the fir tree. They happily did so. After a while, there was a big decorated Christmas tree standing in front of the house. The Christmas tree didn't have any illuminations. Instead, the colored leaves stars and acorns were dimly shining by the light from his house windows. The sets of pinecones gave it a thick atmosphere. The branch canes and a big star on the top were cute. The tree was silently uplifting. The snow started falling. The neighbors returned to their houses saying they had a warm feeling. The boy was given a hot apple pie by his wife and happily left, saying he would come again with his parents later. The husband greatly thanked him. The wife said, "This is a present from nature." The husband nodded in satisfaction. The couple was looking at the Christmas tree, thinking the same thing: the wise men's gift story gave them a big present. |
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*fir :a tree with thin, straight leaves shaped like needles that do not fall in winter (C)
*acorn :an oval nut which grows on oak trees (C)