The Joneses were a happy family. Not rich, not by any means, but certainly happy, and there was no time of year in which they were happier than at Christmastime. Every January, Mr. Jones and Mrs. Jones would begin to save every extra cent they could so that, come Christmas Eve, the whole lot could go up to town and buy a tree.
Unfortunately, it had been a particularly rough year, and Mr. Jones found that he hardly had anything saved.
"I fear we will not be able to afford our annual tree, dear," he sighed to his wife. "I've not more than ten dollars here! Certainly it will not do."
"No, no, we'll find a way," said Mrs. Jones. "Perseverance, darling! Surely we can find something."
So the next day, Christmas Eve, the mother and the father and the three wide-eyed children walked into town with every intention of purchasing a tree.
"Here's a big one," cried Abner.
"As big as the price," said the Mister.
"This one's so pretty!" little Susie chirped.
"The cost is less so," sighed the Mister.
The Missus mused, "maybe this one will drop fewer needles?"
"Fewer needles on the floor," muttered the Mister, "fewer pennies in our pockets."
It was rejection after rejection until, suddenly, there came a small cry from behind. The family turned to look: it was little Johnny, brushing the snow off a tiny tree. It couldn't have been bigger than a shrub, and had a few bald branches, but Johnny seemed enamored.
"It's perfect," he said. His siblings concurred.
"It's cheap," the grateful parents purred.
The happy Joneses left town, tree in tow, singing Christmas carols and laughing heartily. On Christmas, they danced and romped and swapped stories, and had a jolly time.
In the end, though, the tree was certainly the best part. It was agreed: this had been the best Christmas tree they'd ever eaten.
- Mood:
Jolly - Listening to: Carol of the Bells
- Reading: Coraline
- Watching: A Christmas Story
Sucky Suckaday with Sucky
Not Impressed
Alarmed
Uneasy
