The Gift

                                                             The Gift 

 

         The small white house sat on a hillside, in a modest area of a small midwestern town.

 

         Rob and Teri Rollins lived there with their four children, all of whom were under six years of age. 

 

        Though things got a little chaotic at times, the love and affection that bloomed there seemed to make everything work out pretty well.

 

        The two oldest children of the family, Matt and Molly were talking as they ate their corn flakes one morning.

 

         “We need to go to go shopping Molly,” said Matt. 

          “ Dad’s birthday is next week.” Mr. Rollins was turning 28 next week and the kids needed a Birthday present.

 

          “Okay,” said Molly. “Maybe we can slip out this morning while mom puts Alice and Mary down for the day. We can ride up to Martin’s department store. They have everything. We should be able to get something for dad there.”

 

         The two small conspirators were able to slip out quietly while dad was off to work and mom busy with the little ones. 

 

         Matt and Molly rode their bikes down the hill and along the boulevard to Martin’s. A large number of shoppers had already made their way into the store.

 

          The aisles were full of sports equipment and hobby kits. Any of these gifts would make their dad smile.

 

           “How about this fishing rod?” asked Molly. “It has all the accessories that dad usually tries to catch fish with.”

 

            “That is a pretty good idea Molly,” said Matt. “Dad needs something like this. Grandpa Rollins said that dad couldn’t  catch a fish unless it jumped out of the creek and into his Creel.”

 

            “How much does it cost?” asked Molly.

 

            “The price tag reads $ 125 dollars.” said Matt.

 

            “Do we have that much?” asked Molly.

 

             “Well, we are a little bit short,” answered Matt.

 

             “I have five dollars that Gramma Rollins gave me for my birthday.”

 

              “And I have $4.00 from my piggy bank,” said Molly.

 

               “I think that will leave us a little short,” said Matt.

 

          ”I think we better look for something else.”

 

         “Dad always said that the only thing he ever wanted from us is a big hug and some kisses,” said Molly.

 

      “Maybe we can use our money to buy some crayons and construction paper to draw a big heart and tell hm that we love him,” said Molly.

 

     “Good idea, Molly” said Matt. “Let’s do it.”

 

     The two small shoppers wandered over to the art supplies aisle and purchased what they needed to make their gift.

 

        “It is a good thing you had the $4.00 from your piggy bank, Molly.” said Matt. 

 

”Otherwise, we would have been way short on having enough to buy all of this stuff.”

 

       The children gathered up their art supplies and walked outside. They mounted their bikes and rode off happily for home. 

  

        Mom was taking care of Alice and Mary, so she didn’t see what the duo  brought home. 

 

       The children  walked quietly up to Matt’s bedroom and began their project.

 

 

           Molly colored a big red heart onto the thick paper. Then, Matt printed in large letters “Happy Birthday Dad, from Matt and Molly. We love you.”

 

          They folded up the colorful paper up and put it in a large Manila envelope. In large red letters, it read “for dad” on the outside. They would hide the gift under the bed  until Dad’s birthday.

 

         The day soon arrived. Dad was off to work early, so the children missed him at breakfast. They went about their day until dad came home for dinner. Mom had a big cake ready for dad, with lots of sugar frosting and lighted candles. Everyone was happy with the meal and the birthday wishes for dad.

 

           After dinner and a great piece of mom’s wonderful cake, Matt handed  dad the envelope.

 

             Mr. Rollins  opened the envelop with a big smile. Then a funny thing happened. A big tear slid down his cheek. “What’s the matter dad?” asked Matt?.

 

         “It is nothing Matt,” said Mr. Rollins. “I must have had a speck of dirt  in my eyes,”  he said as he wiped the tears away.

 

        “Thank you both for this wonderful card and your message. I love you both too," said Mr. Rollins to the happy children.

 

         It was a happy day. Matt and Molly were pleased with their gift. They had made dad happy on his birthday.

 

           Later, Mr. Rollins had the card framed and put on his desk at work, where he could see it every day. He was moved by it. He was happy that he and Mrs. Rollins had raised two such loving children.

 

        Matt and Molly had learned that fancy and expensive gifts don’t matter much. But, their love and affections for mom and dad were a priceless gift much appreciated by their parents.

 

       And every year there after they made up a big card, on mom and dad’s birthday, and told them they loved them. The cards and words are the most precious things that mom and dad owned.

 

        The bible says “And a child shall lead them.” And with this gift, Matt and Molly did.

 

                            -30-

                     (866 words)

               Joseph Xavier Martin