The Christmas Story

Set durin the World War II, a little boy's attempt to find the true meaning of Christmas.

 The little Russian village of Novgorod…

 

 25^th December, 1941…

 

World War II…

 

Destruction and anarchy …

 

Father Markhov was walking down road – the road which was once made up of stone and concrete but all that remained now were traces of stones - here and there - and then there was snow. The fields on the either side of the road which usually used to be snow covered during this time of the year were all black. Black with all the soot that had generated because of the bombing… The bombing had occurred on 7^th November but the smell of burnt stems and leaves still disturbed the nasal centers.

 

Father Markhov looked around.

 

There used to be houses around here.

 

Yes, those wooden remains could still be seen

 

Children played here.

 

This is where the hut of peasant Krasitch stood.

 

Nearly everything in the village of Novgorod had been destroyed. Except a small region on the north. The mountain that grew there had prevented the German Panzers from getting near it. Apart from that small colony, everything had turned to dust or rather ash…

 

Father decided that it would better if he would just reach his house at the base of the mountain. He had stepped out of the house for the first time after those bombings, just to have a look. But what he saw had devastated him. He had started to wish that he had never stepped out in the first place. In spite of the sun being out, there was no warmth or brightness. Everything was brown and black.

 

A very chilly wind was blowing, carrying along with it soot and burnt twigs and remains. Winters in the Soviet Republic were never that pleasant. Temperatures dropped well below zero degrees. But in spite of all that people still celebrated Christmas with great revelry… but today not a soul could be seen. The little of humans that had survived had locked themselves inside… waiting to die… like the rest of the village. They knew that running away would be futile. Where would they go? Germans had destroyed everything. It was rumored that they had nearly got into Moscow. Perhaps they would soon return and trample whatever little remained of the civilization.

 

In front of him he could see the little remaining traces of human settlements

 

A soft humming broke the silence. The Father froze in fear. For a moment he thought that the panzers were coming back. He looked up in the sky but it was all clear. Looking down he gave a sigh of relief. And then he saw. A young boy, of about five was collecting twigs and branches and humming a native tune in front of a house, which the father knew belonged to his family.

“Hello father”, greeted the kid with a broad smile.

 

“What are you doing Evan? Don’t you know that you shouldn’t be outside? Where are your mother and father?”, said the priest sternly.

 

“Mama has gone to fetch some wood. It is very cold inside. Papa said that he would see if he could get a rabbit. I am fed up eating only bread and fruit.”, said the child most animatedly

 

Nothing had seemed to affect him. He is so cheerful and excited even after all this

 

“Father, why aren’t we celebrating Christmas this year? Papa scolded me when I asked him. He is not letting me go out. You should talk to him. He likes you soooo much. He will listen to you.” Evan said looking at his little leather covered feet.

 

“This year, we cannot, Evan. Bad things have happened here”

 

“What bad things father? Mama – Papa won’t tell me. Please tell me.” Curiosity shone in his eyes.

 

“Real bad things have happened Evan. You’ll get scared. Everyone is scared here.”

 

“I’m a brave boy. Why would I be afraid?” He said proudly with his chest swollen.

 

“I know you are brave Evan. But you are not that brave”

 

“I am”, He said adamantly. “Mama was crying the other day. I could not understand anything. What is happening here father? Some days back I saw fire. Big. Vairy beeg fire. Bigger than those bon fires we had last year during Christmas. And then there was a lot of noise. Bang bang and boom boom and whoosh and swoosh and grrrr and roars. I wanted to go out but mama pulled me back and started crying. Nobody lets me do anything. Bad. Everyone is bad.

 

The father couldn’t help smiling. The way in which this little kid had explained the German air raid brought a big smile in his face. Innocence is such bliss.

 

And Evan went on with his story…

 

“Then I heard screams and lots of voice. But papa took me in a room and then I could not hear anything. What is going on father?”

 

“Big – big eagles came from another country and took everything from here, dear.” The father explained.

 

“But why? Are there no people in the country from where thoat eagle came that he took our people? Our people must be very good. That’s why he took them with him. But when will they come back?” The child said most innocently.

 

“They won’t come back Evan. The eagle won’t let them.” Explained the father.

 

“Then how will they celebrate Christmas… All those people?”

 

“They won’t be celebrating.”

 

“Then let us all go to the eagle and celebrate Christmas with him and other people.”

 

The father tried his best not to laugh. And said. “You are very naughty”

 

“No I’m not. That eagle is. Otherwise he wouldn’t have taken the people.”

 

The father looked at Evan’s eyes and said. “That eagle is evil. He will come take all of us. He wants to take hold of Russia and whole of Novgorod for himself.”

 

Evan looked back at the father and said, “But why does he want it for himself. We can share it, can’t we? And then we all can be together. He would be happy and we can all have Christmas too. Such a stupid eagle.”

 

 Evan continued…

 

“I’ll go the eagle and tell him that this world is sooo  big and he has enough space for himself. Why does he take others? And if he wants anything, he should ask not snatch it. Mama always tells me to love everybody and that taking other’s tings is bad”

 

All father could do was look in Evan’s deep blues eyes.

It shone in the glory of innocence… shone with the light of great aspirations and hope… of peace…

 

Such a small kid and yet so sensible.

 

I wish everyone thought like him.

 

Wouldn’t this world be a much better place then? Greed is bad. Why can’t we respect and love everyone?

 

People are fighting everywhere. They have forgotten the true message of Christmas – love and forgiveness.

At this rate, everything would be destroyed… And is that what we want? If everything is destroyed, what will he have to rule over? This world is too small to hate each other. I wish everyone understands that…

 

Over 62,000,000 people died in World War II…Countries were destroyed…devastated.

Earth cried in pain.  

Are you ready to lose the number again?

Are you ready to see it all once again?

This Christmas let us all pray for a better world … where peace and love prevail and where hatred and blood shed have been banished for ever