The Christmas Orange

Jake lived in an orphanage with nine other boys his entire life. During the wintertime any
extra money went for coal to heat the old buildings. Times were tough, but throughout
the holiday season the buildings always seemed a little warmer and the food more
plentiful.
With Christmas approaching, excitement filled the orphanage. The boys were
anticipating a special gift and a treasure that was greatly desired.

On Christmas morning each child received an orange. It was the only time of the year
such a rare treat was provided and it was coveted like no other thing that they
possession. Each boy would save his orange for several days and admire the special
gift. It would be savored until the moment it would be eaten.

Some would keep their orange until New Year's Day or later, much like many of us
admire our Christmas tree and decorations until after the New Year to remind us of the
joy of Christmas.

This particular Christmas Day, Jake had broken an orphanage rule by pushing one of the
other boys. The orphanage mother immediately took away Jake's orange and he was
sent to his room as punishment for his actions.

Jake spent Christmas Day empty and alone. Nighttime came and he could not
sleep. Silently he sobbed thinking that this year he would not have an orange to cherish
with the other boys.

Stop reading - Make the Students think of an appropriate ending.

A soft hand placed on Jake’s shoulder had startled him and an object was quickly shoved
into his hands. Then the child disappeared into the dark and leaving Jake alone to
discover a strange looking orange resting in the palms of his hands. It was an orange
made from the segments of nine other oranges and ever so carefully placed back into the
orange peel. There were nine highly prized oranges that had to be eaten that Christmas
night, instead of admired and cherished until a later date.

Jake held in his little hands the true meaning of Christmas, the ultimate gift - a touch of
human kindness. It wasn’t delivered in a fancy package or tied with a bow, for it came in
the quiet hours of the night and expecting nothing in return. This simple little gift was
given with the genuine love and intent to mend the heart of a wounded child, with a silent
whisper that others care.