Merry Christmas.

- O Santadada, O Santadada!

Give me such toys

That I can eat by sharing

I can make the world happy.

That I can drive away corruption

can defeat terrorism

And I can subdue the wicked

I can suppress bribery.

And Dharma-Karam fights

Bleeding rubs

I can bury it in a deep hole

I can live fearlessly.

That I can know liars

and overthrow the warriors

And unite the whole world

I can wave the flag of unity.

O Grandfather, Grandfather!

Give such toys

Give such blessings.

'David! Ready or not?'

asked father Samuel who was ready to go to the temple. They were a little impatient. Mom Nancy and sister Renee were also ready. Only David was doing it.

David comes running to something Lagharvadhar says: 'I am ready. Papa! Come on, Merry Christmas everyone and Happy New Year.'

Father looked at him sarcastically. All sat in the car. This year father bought a new motor. Centro 2020.

'Just turn on the AC then Ibrahim!' Father said as he sat in the motor.

AC turned on.

David says: 'Dad! How cold it is outside. Are all people AC? And us?'

'Son,' says Pitaji: 'We need to keep the AC on even to avoid outside pollution.'

'But...' David argued: 'We? That means our car pollutes less for outsiders?'

'I won't argue today.' Father said. 'You have to look good on a good day.'

'Back you two...', Mom said: 'Don't get into an argument.'

Renee also remembered the story of the 'girl with the lampshade'. Was it Anderson's? Yes, Hans Christian Andersen's match-girl.

He reached the temple a little late. Mass prayer had started. David's friends Aman and Coco arrived. David asked: 'Father! Can my friends come in?'

Father did not agree. Still said: 'Even if it comes.'

The clothes of both of them were normal. David started giving them his muffler, handkerchief, hat.

After mass prayer everyone salutes the newly born baby Jesus i.e. baby Jesus to God. receives his blessings. Accept the blessings of Mother Mary. The father bows down to Joseph and the young fool bows down to the donkey.

There was a dazzling light outside the temple. Everyone was wishing each other Christmas and New Year.

Time to go. David hesitates and says: 'Dad! My friends come with me?'

Papa's face became serious. There were festivals. Who would be offended? They say: 'Even though.'

Everyone sat down. There David continued, 'Papa! Where shall we go? Aman also lives there. It is their invitation.'

Before the father could say anything, the mother said, 'Let's go. On good days the poor invite.'

Reni spoke up: 'Yes yes, let's go. I like David's friends a lot. And Coco... they have a sister too, right?'

A mud road. The new Santro, the bouncy car sputtering, Dad used to think: 'Where else did I say yes?'

The car could not reach the spot. Had to stand a little away. Say: 'My house is opposite. Come dear guests!'

It will be a one room house. raw house Coco's father ran to greet Sama. Coco's mother had made something like a cake.

There were signs of poverty, cold, scarcity, but the welcome was wonderful. Where to sit?

A small child was seen there. He used to play with his mother.

Coco says: 'I have a brother. He was born last night.'

'What do you say?' The parents spoke together.

Renee says: 'Mom! Was Jesus also born in the same way in the same environment on the same date?'

Mother nodded yes.

Renee's talk continued. He says: 'Mother! Are not all children born on the same date, in the same way, in the same environment, called Jesus?'

Father Samuel's anger had subsided. The mother took the child in her lap. Renee says: 'I want to hold that Jesus in my lap, mother.'

Father said to David: 'You are a fool. Not already told that a new baby has been born. We didn't even bring a gift.'

Nancy Rennie began to give what she had to mother and son. There Coco's father says: Look at the child's handkerchief and the rug and the lantern. And sir, these boys have corrected me. Had a habit of drinking a little. released Coco's fee pays all. It is these boys who got Coco's mother a job and paid the maternity bill. For me they have brought about the employment of some poor man.

Papa Samuel was surprised! He asked, 'David! How did you do all this?'

'We had,' said David, bowing his head, sharing it. Second, large and false costs are saved. The help of these two friends is real. With the help of our Doctor Bose and Police Inspector Elias and in our school Madam Teresa...

Renee says: 'Just like Mother Teresa.'

A simple tea, simple coffee, simple cake feast in a hut-like setting. Along with the goat race. A little donkey indeed.

Everyone was happy when Ashish left with the blessing. There was only one memory in the mind of the happy child. Leaving another child's temple, probably right.

- Harish Nayak