The spirit of giving

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Part of The Young Citizen: The Magazine for Young People

Title: The spirit of giving
Language: English
Year: 1935
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Fulltext: 308 THE YOUNG CITIZEN December, 1!1?!: SAFETY SECTION LIMBAS By MARIANO PASCUAL * THEY called it the "limbas." It was truly a beautiful little thing. It could fly in the sky and turn this way and that and up and down like any living bird. Of course it was not a bird. It was only a kite. But this kite was like a living bird because it could swoop clown and tear another kite as easily as a hawk 01· an eagle swoop down upon a chicken. That is why it was called the "limbas." Perto loved the "limbas." His uncle made it for him one Saturday afternoon in November. In November, the days and the nights are cold and the wind is good for flying kites. When the kite was finished, Perto went to the beach and flew his kite there. It was not yet called the "limbas." There were many other boys in the beach flying kites. Some of their kites were red; some yellow; some were green. Perto's kite was white with two little reel wings flapping in the air. It flew up and up and up and seemed to say, "See how well I can fly!" There was a green kite flying near Perto's kite. The green kite looked at Perto's kite and said, "I can fight you, white kite. I can fight you!" Perto's kite shook in the wind with laughter. "Ha! ha! ha!" it laughed. "I laugh at you, green kite. Come and fight me. I laugh at you!" And so the two kites fought. The green kite snapped his teeth at the white kite's tail. But the white kite jumped away and swooped down upon the green kite. The white kite caught the green one on the face and bit him until his face was torn all over. When Perto's kite went down the bo?S in the beach crowded round it. "What a beautiful kite!" said one. "It fights like the 'limbas' ." And so it was called the "limbas." (Please turn to page 315) •Assistant Principal, Tonrlo Elementary School. THE SPIRIT OF GIVING By JOSE FELICIANO * CHRISTMAS is here again to gladden our hearts. What child does not look forward to the coming of this day'i And what grown person is not carried away by the spirit of Christmas? Old and young, rich and poor, join in the observance of this holiday, the happiest of all the year. People wish one another peace, happiness, and prosperity. From everyone's lips comes joyously, "I wish you a merry Christmas." Why do you think the Christmas season so full of joy for every one? There seems to be only one answer: we give with all our heart and we wish others all the blessinge from above. Yes, we believe in the old, old saying, "It is more blessed to give than to ·receive." Of course, it is not all giving, for we also receive something-not necessarily in return for what we have given. No, indeed. If we 1·emember our friends, they too remembe1· us. If we give something out of the goodness of our heart, others do the same. Kindness begets kindness. Now I should like to remind you of something you should not fail to do when Christ. mas comes around and even afterwards. You, who are fortunate enough to have a good home, loving family and friends, and comforts of life, must" not forget your less fortunate brothers. Young as you are, you know that there are people who have not even the bare necessities cif life. They are not to blame for nut having enough to live comforbbly. Perhaps misfortunes have befallen them one after another. Perhaps they have lost their piece of land, or their employment. We cannot exactlv tell why ( Pfc>ase turn to pa9e 316) "'Academic Divi;.:io11, Bureau of Education. Deaml1cr, 1.935 THE YOUNG CITIZEN ) I) Wl-IERE Cl-IRIST WAS BORN A CHRISTMAS DAY approaches. the minds and hearts of Christians all over the world are turned to that mysterious town of Bethlehem in Palestine where Jesus Christ was born about one thousand nine hundred and thirty-five years ago. During that time, Palestine was a Roman province when Augustus Caesar wa:> emperor and the local king was By FRANCISCO CARBALLO * Most of the houses arc built of rough-hewn stones and arc plastered to give the walls an appearance of solidity. The roofs ac flat and these serve as roof gardens where members of the fam~ly gather to enjoy the cool J udean air during the summer evenings. The one storeycd houses, in general appearance reseffible those found in th..' Batanes Islands with the difference ing of the British. under whos~ mandate the Holy Land is governed, institutions and implements of western civilization, such as improved roads. schools, hospitals, automobiles, sewing machines, electricity. and the like, have been· introduced in the country. Pilgrims may now visit Bethlehem leisurely in automo· biles and autobuses which run the ten-kilometer distance from Jerusalem in short time. With these innovations however. most of the Bethlehcmites still cling to the modes of dress and traditions of their forefathers. The chief center of interest in Bethlehem is, ·of course, the Church of the Nativity which is built on the spot claimed to be the place of the stable where Jesus was born in a manger. Herc thousands of pilgrims from all parts of the world gather to worship, visit the places connected with the Nativity and the life 0t Herod. · that the roofs of the latter arc cov- Christ. and take home with them Bethlehem is from the Hebrew cred with grass thatching. souvenirs of the Holy Land. Beit Lahm which means 'house of Most streets are . narrow anJ Bethlehem is sometimes called bread.' This name has been ap- winding, and people go about on the City of David for it was also propriatcly given to the place for foot or ride on the backs of don- the birthplace of that shepherd king Bethlehem was and still is the wheat keys or camels. Products for local who killed the boastful giant Golgranary of the surrounding country consumption are still brought in by iath of the Philistines and wrote the due to the fertility of its soil. camel caravans. beautiful psalms found in the Old There are about six thousand in- Water for domestic use is secured Testament. Christ descended from habitants in Bethlehem, consisting from wells, cisterns, and tanb David's line. and the prophets fori'of Christians. Moslems. and Jews. which collect water during the rainy told his birth and his acclamation In the town proper some men arc season. The community well, how- by the world as The King of Kings engaged in carving pearl shells for ever, is an important social ccnt.:r and the Saviour of Mankind. The various decorative purposes anrl th.: for here the townspeople meet to women produce beautiful embro1- get water. and while waiting for light of His tcJ.chings have affcct~d dcrics. In the suburbs, most of the their turns, they exchange the 11- the lives of all Christendom, and people arc occupied in wheat and test news of the day. Travelers we of the first Commonwealth of barley raising. sheep herding, and water their animals here also. the Far East arc now shJ.ring that trnding vineyards olive and pomc- Ewrything, however. is not an- light which first shone on the first granate orchards. tiquated in Judea. for with the com- Christmas Day tn Bethlehem. "'Formerly Principal, Intramuros Intermediate Schoo1. THE SPIRIT OF GIVING cold. tired, and hungry. Perhap<> him out into the streets. He comes (Co11ti11>1ed from page .108) he has not had a good meal fot to you because you have something they have become so poor, but they many a day. A piece of bread may to give away, and he has nothing must be remembered and aided. satisfy hunger, but it can hardly b.: He would not come to you begging On Christmas morning a beggar enough for one meal. Then. for unless he is in great nrcd. may knock at your door. He ;s our dear Lord's sake, don't turn (Pleas<' turn lo page .J:!8) \28 !HE YOUNG CITIZEN Decnn/n•r, t.<1 :.; THE ELDESl OF EIGHT CHRISTMAS THL SPIRIT OF GIVING (( 011fii11tl'd /'rum page .124) (Continued irom Jmf/(' l!l.I) {CuutilwC'd from page .Jl.'i) "The teacher sent us," Sioning lricnds we surely have no right tCI You may have a schoolmate or ,;nswered. be happy. Sureiy everybody can a playmate whose parents you know · I have been very lonely, .. Lo- give som(·thing-a gift, a greeting. will not be able to buy him a gift Ina complained. "I wish I werl! or a wish-"A Merry Christmas.'· for Christm.is. You have many a member of a family like Sion- good things of which your frienJ ing·s... Lolita finished wich a sigh On Christmas we wish everybody or companion has none. Will it full of longing. JO)', happiness and goodwill because not make you happy to give him .l "'What? Like mine?" Sioning it was on the first Christmas Day little of what you have~ I( your asked in great surprise. '"You don't chat God gave his best wishes, a heart is truly kind. you can't bear know what it means to be the old- gift to us-Jesus our Mastn and to sec somwne suffer w0hi.Je you have est of eight children." Saviour. more chan enough to satisfy your" I do not know. Just the sam.:. "And there were in the same self. I would rather be one of eight tha!l shepherds abiding in the field. keep Dear children, let me add one the only one and without a ing watch over their flock by nighl'. more thought- about i:he spirit of mother." Lolita returned. ~~iving. To feed the hungry. tu '"But you have your fatht:r wh1) ·And. lo. the angel of the Lor<l dolhe the ragged. to help the needy. i~_very rich and very liberal to you... came upon them. and the glory 0t <.1r c6 give ochers coscly gifts. is not "Oh. I have no complaint against the Lord shone around about therr.· cnough. Your heart, full of willmy fatht:r. He is the best of father~. and they were sore afraid. But there is something very big tlut is lacking when there is no mother.-· '"You have servants to look after you, .. one of Sioning's companions remarked. 'And the angel said unto thcri·. h',ir not. for behold. I hring you good tidings of great joy. which shall be to all PC?Pk "You chink that is fine. On 11"1} "'For unto you is born this day part. I would rather do all th-: in the city of David a Saviour. housework and wait on my mOther which is Christ the Lord. d only I had one.·· Lolita retorted in all carnestnt:ss. '' l feel I could 'bear all poverty and hardships if I could taste a mother's kiss." Lolita continued "'My mother kisses me when I leaw for school and at my arriva:. We kiss also before we go to bed .. , Sioning·s companion said with pride. "'My mother does not kiss me." Sioning thought. "'I thank you again for cominl; I shall try to be present on Monday. Ly th, way, Sioning, I have a piece of silk which I intended for <?. Mother's Day gift." .. A gift? For whom? You have no mother." The three calle[S asked in surprise. ··r make-believe that I have on'!. 1 even planned to embroider it. But now, I cannot carry out my project. You may have it Sioning. for your mother." Sioning accepted the gift The next day. while her mother was out. she made a lovely negligee with it .~nd embroidered it with daint,spr.1ys or lazy-daisy stitches. "'And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped When Sioning placed her gift O\'Cr h.:r mothn"s p'iilow very early on the morning of Mothers' Day. there was no more resentment i1, her heart. There was only a wish tlut her motha might kiss hi:r ewu once ANSWER TO THE LAST MONTH'S CROSS-WORD PUZZLE ir gncss and low·, 5hould go with your gift or act of charity. I would value more. a small loaf of brc.1d given to me wich the giver's goodwi!L If you would share at ~.ii what you have with others. do so willingly and gladly. A poet says. ··A gifc without the giver is bare· I .ct us not chink that wh,1t ·'le give now is lose to us forever. SomC' how or sometime good acts will b•: n·warded. Today the good things ot life may be ours to enjoy: ro morrow we may lose them all. Those whom we have helped anJ l'Ven chose whom we have not, mav then do us a good turn. Giving with all one's heart and giving for rhe joy of it, is the true spirit of love for mankind. Such is che spirit or Christmas. in swaddling clothes. lying in a manger. '"And suddenly cht:re was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God. and saying . "Glory to God in the highe<>t. .~nd on c.irth peace. goodwill toward men." Our gifts. oilr fiestas. our candit:'~. our tcys. our music .• 1nd all rhin$:~ we do to celebrate the ChristmJ~ Day arc nothing unh•ss they really .~nd truly giw glory to God, makl" pL"acc on earth, and bring goodwill tow.ud on~ .1nother 'r\ !'vll'rry Christmas to Every hody ·