A little doll's story

Title

Language

English

Year

1935

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Fulltext

l!r1·<'1Hl1Cr, f!J.;;, (A Christmas Story) By Josefina V. Reyes THE YOUNG CITIZEN 29'1 A Little Doll's Story LITTLE girls say, "That is a pretty doll!" Their mothers say, "What a sweet doll!" And am I proud? Of course, I am proud . . . very, very proud. And, my little friends, do you know why I am pretty? It is because I am always happy. You don't know why I am always happy, do you? Well, I'll tell you my story ... a very little story of a very little doll. Long, long ago I lived in a little glass case in a big, big shop. Though I was there night after night and day afte1· day, I was always happy. Little girls would peep at me with eyes that said something. Little boys who looked at Big Train beside me would give me smiles and would say, "When I grow bigger, I will buy Sister a doll like that." Once, I still remember, a little girl whispered to her mother, "Ma, isn't that a cute doll?" And her Ma whispered more softly, "Yes, dear, but we have no money for cute dolls today." · But one day a pretty little girl smiled at me. She had on a yellow dress and a big, yellow ribbon on her head. I looked at her, and, I think, I smiled, too. But suddenly her smile changed to something that was not a smile at all, and I heard her cry. "Papa, I want that doll. I want that doll." And she began to sob aloud. "Which one, my dear?" asked a big voice. "There, don't cry, darling, Papa will buy it for you." And soon I heard the sound of keys. Then somebody took me out and covered me with a green something all over my face, 100 THE YOUNG CITIZEN my hands, my feet, and every part of my body. Then two little hands took me very, very gently. When the cover was taken off my eyes I found myself in a big, nice house. Ancl the little girl with the yellow ribbon was again smiling at me. "You are mine now, little doll. And nobody can take you away from me-not even my cruel, Cl'Uel Aunty." Then she took me in her a1·ms and kissed me gently on the hair. I was very, very happy as many, many days passed by. Emma, that was the pretty little girl's name, made for me a very pretty 1·ed dress and a red bonnet. "Oh, Dolly," she saici, "your dress is as red as your checks." And I felt as if my cheeks grew redder than ever. One day Emma's Papa brought home many, many boxes. He gave them all to Emma, and Emma gave him a big kiss on the head. Then she put me on top of the boxes and carried all of us to the garden. There I saw something ve1·y, very nice. Emma called it "Christmas tree." Oh, it had many different lights and ... it was wonderful. Emma opened all of the boxes, and I saw that she was very happy. Soon she took me and said, "There, Dolly, I have many, many toys. But I love you best, my darling." And she kissed me again. Then she looked up, and I saw that something surprised her. There was a little girl at the doo1'. She had no shoes and her dress was not pretty, but she was smiling. Emma took he1; by the hand and said, "Why don't you come in, little girl? I have many, many toys and a Christmas tree there. Come, let us play." "Oh, no," said the girl. "I . . . I am poor. Your father ... " "No, no, Papa is very good. ·Come, I will give you some chocolates, too." "Oh, no, thank you. Will you . . . will you just let me kiss your doll?" "Kiss? Kiss m:: doll?" Then she walked slowly back to me and took me in he1· arms. She kissed me again and again until I felt something wet on my head. She gave me to the girl anrl said, "The1·e, take her, she is yours now." "You mean ... she is ... " "Yes, yours, My Mother - I - She laughs with me when I succeed In any work be small or bigShe sings with me when I'm glad, Yet, she weeps more when I feel sad. -IIShe keeps me watch both day and night-She teaches me to do things right, She makes me work, yet, lets me play To keep me happy all the day. - III -'When all friends turn away from meShe stays to keep me company. She is an angel from aboveMy mother dear so full of love. LULU DE LA PAZ E. Jarinto Elem. School Papa will buy me another doll. But, please, love her." The gil'l was crying when she answe1·ed, "Thank you, thank you. I . . . I will love he1· ... ve1·y, very much, because . . because, you know she is my only Christmas gift." And she did. So you see why I am very, very happy ... and pretty?

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