Today's Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul

[Guest guest]

The Christmas Scout

In spite of the fun and laughter, 13-year-old

was not happy.

It was true that he had received all the presents he

wanted. And he enjoyed these traditional Christmas Eve

reunions of relatives - this year at Aunt 's - for the

purpose of exchanging gifts and good wishes.

But was not happy because this was his first

Christmas without his brother, Steve, who, during the year,

had been killed by a reckless driver. missed his

brother and the close companionship they had together.

said good-bye to his relatives and explained to

his parents that he was leaving a little early to see a

friend; from there he could walk home. Since it was cold

outside, put on his new plaid jacket. It was his

favorite gift. The other presents he placed on his new

sled.

Then headed out, hoping to find the patrol

leader of his Boy Scout troop. always felt

understood by him. Though rich in wisdom, he lived in the

Flats, the section of town where most of the poor lived,

and his patrol leader did odd jobs to help support his

family. To 's disappointment, his friend was not at

home.

As hiked down the street toward home, he caught

glimpses of trees and decorations in many of the small

houses. Then, through one front window, he glimpsed a

shabby room with the limp stockings hanging over an empty

fireplace. A woman was seated near them weeping.

The stockings reminded him of the way he and his

brother had always hung theirs side by side. The next

morning, they would be bursting with presents. A sudden

thought struck - he had not done his " good turn " for

the day.

Before the impulse passed, he knocked on the door.

" Yes? " the sad voice of the woman inquired.

" May I come in? "

" You are very welcome, " she said, seeing his sled full

of gifts, and assuming he was making a collection, " but I

have no food or gifts for you. I have nothing for my own

children. "

" That's not why I am here, " replied. " Please

choose whatever presents you'd like for your children from

this sled. "

" Why, God bless you! " the amazed woman answered

gratefully.

She selected some candies, a game, the toy airplane

and a puzzle. When she took the new Scout flashlight,

almost cried out. Finally, the stockings were full.

" Won't you tell me your name? " she asked, as was

leaving.

" Just call me the Christmas Scout, " he replied.

The visit left the boy touched, and with an unexpected

flicker of joy in his heart. He understood that his sorrow

was not the only sorrow in the world. Before he left the

Flats, he had given away the remainder of his gifts. The

plaid jacket had gone to a shivering boy.

But he trudged homeward, cold and uneasy. Having

given his presents away, now could think of no

reasonable explanation to offer his parents. He wondered

how he could make them understand.

" Where are your presents, son? " asked his father as he

entered the house.

" I gave them away. "

" The airplane from Aunt ? Your coat from

Grandma? Your flashlight? We thought you were happy with

your gifts. "

" I was - very happy, " the boy answered lamely.

" But, , how could you be so impulsive? " his

mother asked. " How will we explain to the relatives who

spent so much time and gave so much love shopping for you? "

His father was firm. " You made your choice, .

We cannot afford any more presents. "

His brother gone, his family disappointed in him,

suddenly felt dreadfully alone. He had not expected

a reward for his generosity. For he knew that a good deed

always should be its own reward. It would be tarnished

otherwise. So he did not want his gifts back, however, he

wondered if he would ever again truly recapture joy in his

life. He thought he had this evening, but it had been

fleeting. thought of his brother and sobbed himself

to sleep.

The next morning, he came downstairs to find his

parents listening to Christmas music on the radio. Then

the announcer spoke:

" Merry Christmas, everybody! The nicest Christmas

story we have this morning comes from the Flats. A

crippled boy down there has a new sled this morning,

another youngster has a fine plaid jacket, and several

families report that their children were made happy last

night by gifts from a teenage boy who simply referred to

himself as the Christmas Scout. No one could identify him,

but the children of the Flats claim that the Christmas

Scout was a personal representative of old Santa Claus

himself. "

felt his father's arms go around his shoulders,

and he saw his mother smiling through her tears. " Why

didn't you tell us? We didn't understand. We are so proud

of you, son. "

The carols came over the air again filling the room

with music.

" ...Praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on

Earth. "

by D. Bogan

Reprinted by permission of C. Bogan © 1997 by

D. Bogan, from Chicken Soup for the Christian Soul

by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Patty Aubery and

.