Out of everyone that came to visit at Christmas, grandma Harriett was Leila’s favourite. Harriett spent hours sat in front of an open-fire with her grand-daughter, reciting tales of her amazing travels across the globe while sipping cocoa and toasting marshmallows. The time used to melt away so fast that it felt like there would never be enough time to say all that needed saying.

            This Christmas was set to be different. Earlier in the year grandma Harriett had moved abroad to live with her son in Australia, leaving their Christmas tradition in tatters. Leila’s mother tried desperately to cheer her little girl up but nothing seemed to lift her from the pits of misery. Fragrances of cinnamon, ginger and spice, wafted through the house as Mum made mince pies; something that never failed to bring Christmas cheer into Leila’s life until now. The glassy clanging of icicles on bare tree branches didn’t so much as raise an expectant eyebrow either.

            Sat in the window seat of the living room one morning, Leila was staring out at the frost-tipped grass when she noticed the postman carefully walking up the pathway. She watched him trying not to slip on the ice-coated paving as he hauled his big red bag over one shoulder, and a brown box within the crook of his arm. Something about that box made Leila jump up as his gloved finger pressed the doorbell.

            Opening the door, the cherry-cheeked man thrust the package into her waiting hands. Thanking him, Leila rushed back into the living room where she very carefully examined the outside of the box. Whatever was inside it, had been wrapped carefully in brown paper, and, on the top, in thick black ink, was the scrawl she recognised. The delicate loops spelt out her name. Before her mum could stop her, Leila was tearing the paper from her gift that had been sent half-way across the world.

            Once the last scraps of paper had been removed, Leila marvelled at the smooth, varnished wooden box sitting on the floor before her. With the greatest of care, Leila lifted the lid. Inside, snuggled on top of red velvet cushions was a plain white envelope. Bit by bit, Leila tore open the letter and read the contents.

           My darling Leila,

Although we maybe many miles apart, I could not miss sending you your Christmas gift.

This is a very old and very special jewellery box once owned by an Australian countess. The dancing ballerina will listen to all your wishes and secrets just like I used to do. This box is magical, it will let me know how you are and what you are doing. She will always be there to listen.

On Christmas night, before you sleep, close your eyes and make a wish. Let’s see if it comes true.

I’m always thinking of you.

All my love,

Grandma Harriett. X

           Christmas day arrived. Many gifts were exchanged between Mum, Dad and Leila, but, her favourite present was her Australian music box from grandma Harriett. In the final hours left of Christmas day, just as grandma’s letter had explained, Leila sat the box on her bedside table and shared her best wish with the dancing ballerina.

            Late on New Years eve, just as the family began to greet the coming year, Leila, sitting on her bed, heard the doorbell ring. Mum answered the door while everyone else chatted and laughed over the party music in the living room.

            “Leila!” Mum called.

            “Coming!” Leila yelled back, bounding down the stairs, her prized box cuddled to her chest like it was the most valuable thing she had ever owned.

            “Look who’s here, sweetie.” Mum side-stepped revealing two suitcases. About to wander away, Leila stopped in her tracks when she saw a head of silvery hair pinned tightly on top of a lady's head. She knew that hairstyle, those rounded shoulders, and the stout figure, standing on the porch.

            “Grandma Harriett?” Leila whispered to herself. She tried to catch a better glimpse of the elderly figure just to make sure her eyes were not playing tricks on her.

            “Hello darling.” A smiling pair of eyes met hers, it was grandma Harriett. Leila nearly bowled her grandmother over in her excitement, it had been six whole months since they had set eyes on each other.

            “Well, are you going to let me in?” she laughed. “Or are we going to stay out here in the cold, all night?”

            Leila led grandma by the hand into the kitchen, where it was warm, whilst Mum struggled with the heavy suitcases.

            “I see you received the gift I sent you. Do you like it?” grandma asked.

            “It’s my favourite thing,” Leila squealed, jumping up and down with glee. “I didn’t think you were coming back this year. Mum said it was too far for you to travel.”

            “Did you tell the box your Christmas wish like my letter told you to do?” the old lady asked.

            “Yes, I wished for you to come.”

            “Well, I guess the box must truly be magical, because here I am.” Grandma Harriett winked while Leila stared at her music box in amazement. “Now you have your box, you can talk to it any time you want to speak to me. If you can’t reach me on the phone, you can talk to the ballerina. Speaking to her, you are really talking to me.”

            The two weeks grandma Harriet stayed, was wonderful, but all too soon, it was time for her to return to Australia. Saying goodbye and watching the taxi disappear around the corner with her grandma inside, almost made Leila cry, but, gripping her music box tightly, she knew her grandma would always be close, even if she couldn‘t be seen. With that in mind, Leila cheered up and spent every day having fun thanks to grandma Harriett’s thoughtful gift.

The end.

Claire Atherton©2009

Category: Children's Stories