The secret of Santa revealed

Where are my presents? I have not got mine as yet, when everybody around me keeps getting gifts

The secret of Santa revealed

Where are my presents? I have not got mine as yet, when everybody around me keeps getting gifts. So, what's the next logical step to take? Well, rant and rave that my secret Santa is not bothered and is lazy andu00a0-- the list goes on. Secret Santa at work is supposed to be fun, I was told. But I did not see anything that was close to being fun.

Then today, in the morning after waking up with just four hours of sleep behind me, I had to rush, droopy eyed, to cover an event where some 200 orphans had gathered for a Christmas celebration.

So, I reach the destination and see these cute small kids in the age group of three to seven, standing in a line. Some had their fingers on their lips, while others stood with their hands behind their backs. Their twinkling eyes seemed lost, wondering at all the new things around them.

Inside this cafu00e9 which had decided to treat them, the kids are bundled together before of a makeshift stage. Then the celebrations begin. A group at a time, they perform for all.

One particular piece in their performance left me touched. It was a story called Stone Soup. Stone soup, I went in my head, what the heck can that be with Christmas? The story was about two brothers who came by a village whose inhabitants did not know how to celebrate the season. They did not share, did not smile, did not laugh; they did nothing. Everybody kept to himself or herself.

The brothers decided to teach them the essence of the season, and they began by boiling stones to make soup. The people were curious. What were these strangers up to?

Now, one brother tells the other brother, 'This soup would taste much better if only they have salt.' And one villager budges to provide the salt. The brother makes comment after comment, and villager after villager comes up with the required stuff. Somebody gives potatoes, someone tomatoes, and so on. Finally, the stone soup is ready and everybody in gathers together for the first time, to share, laugh and smile. The soup may not be edible, but so what? The brothers show everybody how to partake of the spirit of togetherness!

Christmas is a time to give and share. It's not about expecting anything in return. The joy of giving is much more powerful than that of getting anything back. The raving and ranting in my head all went away when I saw these orphans perform. I am so lucky to have had so much every Christmas with presents overflowing from my folks, relatives and friends. Waking up every Christmas morning to stockings filled with goodies and neatly wrapped gifts under the decorated tree. But, it's only when some Good Samaritan comes by that these orphans can expect something.

So, remember all you people out there. This is the season to share and give without any thought or expectation of anything in return. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and pray that there is peace on earth and goodwill between all of mankind.

Ho Ho Ho to you all.