I grew up in Mexico, so Winter was full of parties that are tradition in our culture. Posadas were one of my favorite ones; there was food, hot cocoa, singing, a ceramic pinata in the shape of a star, and friends and family all having a good time. One thing that makes Christmas time different in Mexico than in many other countries, is that the excitement of the season doesn't end on the 25th, or even on New Year's Day. Children anticipate the Dia de los Reyes, the Day of the Kings, because it is on this day that an extra bundle of gifts awaits them. We are told that the three kings deliver these presents to our houses in the middle of the night (like Santa), just as they delivered their presents for baby Jesus after he was born. We would wake in the morning of January 7th and run to find out what we got. It was tradition that the presents from the kings never topped Santa's, but it's not like we cared. A toy and someone to play with is all it takes to make a kid happy.
Memories of one's childhood usually get jumbled up and pieces get lost, but there is one part of a time when I was in the second grade that I remember clearly. I had a very peculiar old lady for a teacher, she was from Spain and I liked the way that she pronounced things. A couple of days before we got out for Christmas break, she came into the class and sat down all jolly looking. She said "Today I have something very special to tell you all, and something even better to show you." The voices in the room got gradually louder as we wondered what she was going to talk about. After she finally settled, my teacher smiled at us and placed a very pretty box on top of her desk, about the size of one that shoes come in. Everyone stopped talking and without the need for her to say anything, our attention was fully directed at her.
"I bet you're all excited about Christmas right now, aren't you?" she started. " You know, children, I was very much like you when I was young. I couldn't wait for Santa to come during the night, but I always missed the chance to see him, so I would wait for the three kings to come so that maybe I would get to meet them. Year after year, unfortunately, I would be too tired and fall asleep before I saw them. But then came a very special year, one that I will remember for as long as I live. It was the night of January 6th, when the kings were expected to arrive. I was about seven years old and already fast asleep in my bed. All of a sudden I heard a thump and some shushing noises outside my room. The kings! I thought to myself, jumping out of bed and into the living room. I spotted the presents on the floor with their shiny wrapping, but I couldn't see anyone. I heard a strong wind coming in from the window at the end of a hallway, but I knew that we always left our windows closed at night. I ran as fast as I could towards what was the biggest window in the house, and I was able to make out a short, chubby man jumping out of it, with a ripping noise as he disappeared from my view. I finally got to the window, hoping to catch a glimpse of the kings leaving, but when I looked down there was no one. I hadn't even heard them land, no thuds or ouches, nothing. I looked at the railing from the window, and there was a piece of cloth caught on it. I looked around again and when I was sure the kings had gone, I unhooked the cloth and took it back to my room. I've kept it with me ever since. Do you all want to see it?"
The whole class yelled with excitement, "Yes, yes! Please let us see it!" My teacher opened the box she'd laid on her desk at the beginning of class. She took out a dark piece of cloth and said, "I had never held anything so magical in my hands before this. I'll pass it around and you can take a closer look." It was a pitch black, smooth silk cloth with a hint of purple in it, it shone with sparkles and smelled wonderful! Everyone was astounded. We were actually holding something that belonged to the kings!
It took me a couple of years to realize how crazy this sounded, to see how easily we'd been fooled. It is people like my second grade teacher that keep the holiday spirit going year after year. So what if I'd been lied to? There aren't very many grown ups who use their imagination this way for the sake of children, you know. When I was young, I used to be disappointed that there were so many people dressed up as Santa during Christmas time, none of them were ever the real deal. I appreciate what they do though now, because instead of just a bunch of people pretending to be fakes, they're a bunch of people putting smiles on children's faces.
Memories of one's childhood usually get jumbled up and pieces get lost, but there is one part of a time when I was in the second grade that I remember clearly. I had a very peculiar old lady for a teacher, she was from Spain and I liked the way that she pronounced things. A couple of days before we got out for Christmas break, she came into the class and sat down all jolly looking. She said "Today I have something very special to tell you all, and something even better to show you." The voices in the room got gradually louder as we wondered what she was going to talk about. After she finally settled, my teacher smiled at us and placed a very pretty box on top of her desk, about the size of one that shoes come in. Everyone stopped talking and without the need for her to say anything, our attention was fully directed at her.
"I bet you're all excited about Christmas right now, aren't you?" she started. " You know, children, I was very much like you when I was young. I couldn't wait for Santa to come during the night, but I always missed the chance to see him, so I would wait for the three kings to come so that maybe I would get to meet them. Year after year, unfortunately, I would be too tired and fall asleep before I saw them. But then came a very special year, one that I will remember for as long as I live. It was the night of January 6th, when the kings were expected to arrive. I was about seven years old and already fast asleep in my bed. All of a sudden I heard a thump and some shushing noises outside my room. The kings! I thought to myself, jumping out of bed and into the living room. I spotted the presents on the floor with their shiny wrapping, but I couldn't see anyone. I heard a strong wind coming in from the window at the end of a hallway, but I knew that we always left our windows closed at night. I ran as fast as I could towards what was the biggest window in the house, and I was able to make out a short, chubby man jumping out of it, with a ripping noise as he disappeared from my view. I finally got to the window, hoping to catch a glimpse of the kings leaving, but when I looked down there was no one. I hadn't even heard them land, no thuds or ouches, nothing. I looked at the railing from the window, and there was a piece of cloth caught on it. I looked around again and when I was sure the kings had gone, I unhooked the cloth and took it back to my room. I've kept it with me ever since. Do you all want to see it?"
The whole class yelled with excitement, "Yes, yes! Please let us see it!" My teacher opened the box she'd laid on her desk at the beginning of class. She took out a dark piece of cloth and said, "I had never held anything so magical in my hands before this. I'll pass it around and you can take a closer look." It was a pitch black, smooth silk cloth with a hint of purple in it, it shone with sparkles and smelled wonderful! Everyone was astounded. We were actually holding something that belonged to the kings!
It took me a couple of years to realize how crazy this sounded, to see how easily we'd been fooled. It is people like my second grade teacher that keep the holiday spirit going year after year. So what if I'd been lied to? There aren't very many grown ups who use their imagination this way for the sake of children, you know. When I was young, I used to be disappointed that there were so many people dressed up as Santa during Christmas time, none of them were ever the real deal. I appreciate what they do though now, because instead of just a bunch of people pretending to be fakes, they're a bunch of people putting smiles on children's faces.
Ahh...I used to be able to read this...ahh...
ReplyDeleteSuccess! I am the only person who can read your story!
ReplyDeleteIt was okay but check your grammer.
ReplyDelete