Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Christmas Gifts (11/13/08)
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TITLE: Selfish Ellen | Previous Challenge Entry
By
11/19/08 -
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And, it looked like this Christmas would be no exception. At fifteen she was one of the most popular, but self-centered girls at Heath High. She knew all the right people, had all the right and most fashionable clothes but most of all she had everything a girl her age would want--gifts!
Christmas was only two weeks away and she was looking forward to all the wonderful gifts and fabulous food Aunt Tina usually prepared in her huge mansion on West Boulevard—the most luxurious homes one could live in. At least, in Ellen’s mind.
The days passed quickly as they often do in December and around the 23rd of December Ellen decided that she better buy a few gifts for Aunt Tina’s Christmas dinner and party. After all, she thought, I won’t look good if I don’t bring something with me.
So, she went with her good friend, Connie, to the mall and with a hundred dollars in her handbag, she quickly slipped into a small discount store and bought a few gifts for Aunt Tina and Uncle Rob. “Cologne makes a nice gift and will look impressive.” And with that thought in mind, she carried the items out of the store and rejoined her friend at the Food Center.
“Hey Connie! Did you find anything for your parents?”
“No, not really. I know I need to get them something but I hate to spend my allowance on them. I mean, I really need to buy my boyfriend something; I just know he’ll be giving me something nice and expensive. How about you? Did you find anything for your folks?”
“No but I did find something for my Aunt Tina and Uncle Rob. My folks don’t expect me to buy them anything. They just want to buy for me and my sister and besides, I do help them out during the year. I take the trash out once in awhile and make sure that we have all the snacks we need in the frig. So, hey, no problem!”
So, they did more shopping and then returned home, with gifts in hand.
Christmas came quickly, as it always does and Christmas morning began with gloomy clouds and a foreboding feeling deep inside Ellen that maybe the day would not go well.
Everyone in Ellen’s house got up late and began hurrying around, with Ellen crying, “We’re going to be later again, Mom and Dad. Hurry, we must hurry. You know how Aunt Tina hates late comers!”
“All right, already!” Ellen’s father was showing signs of crankiness. He didn’t relish another Christmas with dear Aunt Tina. She was so particular and materialistic. Why she had four more TVs than they had and two brand new Cadillacs in her four garage home. He and his wife only had one Cadillac and two TVs and besides, how much is enough?
Well, they all got ready and arrived at Aunt Tina’s about a half hour late. In they walked, with gifts in hand.
After Christmas dinner, they all gathered in the living room and began opening gifts. Ellen’s parents opened their gifts and were disappointed to find nothing from Ellen. Ellen looked at them sheepishly, smiled a nervous smile and began opening her gifts.
It was strange what happened next. Every gift that Ellen opened was a “useful” gift. She found no frivolous or luxurious gifts from anyone.
When she confronted Aunt Tina and asked her what happened, she replied, “Why Ellen, you’re almost grown up. I thought you would like things for school, computer and some nice books.”
“Well, I don’t! You always give me expensive, wonderful gifts. I don’t think you’re my favorite aunt anymore!”
“Sad to hear you say that, dear but I’ve heard from your Mom and Dad that you don’t give them much of anything throughout the year—even on Christmas. Dear, you must know that in order to receive, you must first give. Now, concerning the gifts I gave you, perhaps I should take them back?”
“Oh no! They’re fine gifts. I didn’t mean what I said. Thanks, Aunt Tina.”
The next day Ellen went out and bought several nice gifts for her parents and as she bought the gifts, she thought of how to make the coming year, better.
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