Her christmas gift

HER CHRISTMAS GIFT


Honey looked at Tikku lovingly. Tikku also seemed to be happy with her. She hugged Tikku.

She was 3 ½ years old. Her sweet nickname was Honey. Her Mom, Dad and everyone in the locality loved Honey. Honey loved Tikku. Tikku was her favorite Doll.

Her dad had brought the doll for her 2 months ago. Honey named it Tikku. Her dad was a very rich businessman who pampered her with all kinds of toys. But she loved Tikku more than a doll and treated Tikku like her younger brother. She showed him all the rest of the toys and played with them. Honey and Tikku were happy in each other’s company and slept together.

Honey did not like her cousin brother Chotu. He would often come to her house alongwith his parents and smash all her toys. She kept Tikku in a safe custody whenever Chotu came to her house. She was so careful of protecting Tikku from Chotu that even his footsteps would make her alert. Both the parents would have a hearty laugh at Chotu and Honey’s antics.

It was one such Sunday when Chotu came home, Honey was caught unawares. She suddenly came to know that Tikku was lying on her cot and she had forgotten to keep him at a safe place. She rushed to the cot before Chotu and placed a pillow over Tikku. Tikku seemed to get out of the pillow. She shouted ‘sshh’ to keep Tikku quiet. Chotu thought that there was something fishy and Honey was hiding something from her.

She distracted Chotu by showing him other toys and thought that she has managed to keep Chotu at bay from Tikku. In the evening, as Chotu prepared to go home with his parents, She happily said bye bye to Chotu and rushed to her bedroom.

But Tikku was missing. She pulled out all the pillows but could not see Tikku anywhere. She searched everywhere in the house. She was inconsolable. She rushed to the balcony of her bedroom and started crying. As Honey stood desolately and looked below the balcony she saw Tikku lying on the floor. Chotu had dropped him from the balcony without Honey’s knowledge.

Tikku ran out of her house and brought Tikku back. But Tikku’s nose was badly damaged, his clothes were muddy and legs were punctured. Honey did not mind it. But her parents scolded her and told her to throw Tikku out. Her father even told her that he would bring her a bright new doll similar to Tikku. But Honey would not listen. Her mom forcibly grabbed Tikku from her and put it near the dustbin. Honey cried a lot. She did not know when she slept. Next day morning, when she was brushing her teeth, she saw Tikku lying alone in a corner near the dustbin. She quietly removed him and hid him below her cot and put some clothes over Tikku so that he remains hidden.

Honey, as usual went to the playschool. She was told by her teacher that God helps everyone in distress. She thought of Tikku. She wanted to send Tikku to God so that God helps him out.

She came to her house that afternoon and was thinking how to send Tikku to God. She had seen her Dad send many messages to his relatives through post. Her Postman Kaka would often come and deliver letters from far away places to her house. She thought her Postman Kaka will help her out.

She scribbled in a piece of paper which she could only make out and was waiting in her balcony. As soon as she saw Postman Kaka passing through, she shouted “Kaka, Kaka.” Postman Kaka smilingly came up to her. She saw around and wanted to make sure that her mother did not see her with Tikku. She whispered to Postman Kaka “I have prepared a letter to be sent to God alongwith Tikku (she showed the doll). Please send it to God. He will make it alright.”

Her mom came out of the kitchen and saw the Postman and asked whether he wanted anything.

Postman Kaka suddenly dropped Tikku into his bag and smiled. “Nothing, just came to see Honey.” Honey’s mom smiled. Postman Kaka winked at Honey. Honey was happy.

A few Days passed. Postman Kaka was not to be seen. Honey could not forget Tikku. Her Dad realized how much Honey was missing Tikku. So, he brought another similar doll and gave it to Honey. Honey was happy but she wanted her Tikku only. Honey told Dad that her Tikku would return home and narrated him as to how she secretly sent Tikku to God through Postman Kaka.

Honey’s Dad smiled. He consoled her and said “God is too far away. It will take time for Tikku to reach God and come back well. So, till then play with other dolls.”

Honey was satisfied with Dad’s reply.

Soon it was Christmas. Honey was very happy as she was waiting for Santa Claus and his bag of gifts. Santa Claus came to her house with his band of other young children and gave her chocolates and toys. As she slept, she kept her socks and bag very carefully by the side of her cot, so that Santa Claus will keep his secret gifts in them to be given to her. (Her Dad kept gifts for her.)

Honey smiled happily. She woke up and opened her socks, which was full of chocolates. Then she opened her bag. To her surprise!

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Honey found a lovely cuddly Teddy Bear and was very happy.

Soon came 24th December. Her Dad held a Party. Everyone was dancing and exchanging gifts and were waiting for Santa Claus to come and grace them for Christmas. Honey was busy playing with her new toy – the lovely cuddly Teddy Bear.

Honey was very happy. She had forgotten Tikku by now. Her Dad lifted her and swung her around. Honey laughed heartily.

Dad told Honey “Honey Darling. Look, who has come?”

Honey looked back. In the corner of her house, her Postman Kaka was standing to greet

Honey.

He had a balloon on one hand.

On his other hand was ‘TIKKU’.

Honey could not believe her eyes. She kissed Tikku a million times and introduced Tikku to her new cuddly Teddy Bear.

Her mom’s eyes were moist. Honey’s Dad told her mom that the Postman had arranged for repairing Tikku by approaching a toymaker and informed him about it.

He told the Postman to wait till he will find a suitable day to really make Honey Happy.

So came back Tikku in Honey’s life.

Honey by now, had completely forgotten everything. She did not even care about Santa Claus and the chocolates. She was busy playing with Tikku.

Honey looked at Tikku lovingly. Tikku also seemed to be happy with her. She hugged Tikku.




… Suresh M Iyer