Joe drew back the curtain and shivered, it was wet, cold and windy. Not a bit like the Christmases portrayed on the cards which lined the mantelpiece. The fire blazed in the hearth and he sat down with the latest Film and Video Magazine. As he flicked through the pages he wondered what subject he could use for the forthcoming Club Competition.

Suddenly he heard a tinkling sound and a bright flash of light flickered across the pages. He looked up. Everything seemed as usual. Then he heard the sound again followed by a voice, sweet and gentle, “Look at me then.” With a start he stared at the Christmas Tree as another flash of light shone at him. There at the top of the tree, the fairy doll was ringing her little bell and quivering her wings, which shimmered in the light.

The sitting room door opened and his wife came in. “Here’s a mince pie. I’ve just made a batch.”

“Thanks,” Joe said, while glancing at the tree. The fairy did not move until the door closed.

“It’s lovely to be here for the two weeks of

Christmas,” the fairy said, “but it’s so boring to be shut up in the box for the other fifty weeks of the year.”

“Oh!” he stammered, “I suppose it must be.” He felt an absolute fool as he spoke.

“Yes,” said the fairy, “I wouldn’t mind so much if it wasn’t so uncomfortable, squashed up against those glass baubles.” She gave a little shiver and her bell tinkled again. “One was broken in the box last time, it was very scratchy.” She sighed, “it’s lonely too.” Joe’s wife called him to supper and he was glad to leave the room. I’ll have a stiff drink first, he thought.

The next morning he went into the town to buy the last gifts for the family. Looking in a shop window he saw some exquisite tree ornaments on display. They were carved in wood and painted brightly. Joe entered the shop and was greeted by the owner.

“They are beautiful are they not!” She picked one up to show him. The figure was of a man with a golden crown and red robes. The face was handsome with smiling lips and painted blue eyes.
“I’ll take that one,” Joe said. He paid and carried the figure, wrapped in tissue paper,

out of the shop. I’d better not tell the wife how much it cost, he thought.

That evening he stood by the tree. He held the little package and looked at the fairy. She smiled at him and waved her wings.

“I’ve been thinking of you,” he said as he unwrapped the tissue and held up the carving.

The golden loop attached to the crowned head, neatly slipped over the tip of the fir tree branch, just below the fairy. As he let go, the little king spun round, first one way and then the other. He glittered in the lights and the fairy gave a sigh of pleasure.

Joe picked up his video camera. This is just what I need for my competition entry, he thought. He switched on, looked through the viewfinder and gasped as he saw the little king raise his hand and ring the fairies bell. They’ll never believe this at the club, he thought.

And they didn’t!


Joan and John