The Gift

For a month now, a gift has sat under the Christmas Tree of the Reardon family. It measures 1ft by 1ft, weighs about 5lbs, is wrapped in the most beautiful metallic green paper, tied up with red ribbon on all four sides, and topped off with a red bow, the gift, by all means,is beautiful. The inscription on the card reads, "To: Robbie" and nothing more. Robbie Reardon is the youngest child of five in the Reardon home, he's fair haired, well spirited, and kind. He has a broad imagination, well-liked by his siblings, and sweet all around, he has no idea what's in the gift or who sent it to him. The Reardon family is a struggling bunch, five children, one parent, not much income, the holidays were mostly a reminder of what they have not, rather than what they have. However, this year they have "the gift", and no one not even Mrs. Reardon knew who had sent this beautiful gift to her son, Robbie, and that was the mystery and joy of "the gift". So, every day from December 1st to December 25th, Robbie would descend the stairs, greet his Mother and siblings, have breakfast, then sit under the tree, wide eyed and full grinded pondering at what could possibly be inside this beautiful gift. His mind would wander; perhaps it's the robots he saw on TV, or maybe the soldier toy's he so coveted, or the game station all the other kids had, perhaps. However, Robbie was pure in heart and was only selfish for a moment or two; because every day a sibling would sit with Robbie and take in his excitement and joy and Robbie would ask again, and imagine. Is it possible it's the bake oven my sister wants and we can make brownies together? Is it a paint set my brother asked for, and my brother and I can do art together? Is it a football, and my brother and I can play together? Is it a tea set, and my sister and I can have tea together? Is it a new job for my Mom and we can be happy again? His mind raced with delight at all these thoughts, he beamed with excitement! Robbie never stopped wishing or wondering what it could be, for the long month he pondered over "the gifts" contents, and on December 25th he would have his answer. Robbie descended the stairs, greeted his mother and siblings, had breakfast and sat under the tree. His siblings opened their gifts with haste, as Robbie watched on. His eldest sister received a pair of nylons and a note pad, his brother a pen and pencil set, his brother, a tennis ball, his sister, a bible, and his mother a coffee mug. As all eyes turned to Robbie holding the most beautiful, wonderful gift in the world! He looked back at his mother and siblings, with their smiling faces, so happy and anxious for Robbie to open his beautiful present. He then, took a long pause, and a deep breath, placed the unopened "gift" back under the tree. Robbie then stated: "This gift has given me more than I could have ever asked for, and I don't care what's in it".