The Old Man and the Christmas tree

THE OLD MAN AND THE CHRISTMAS Tree

Written by Howard Dallman All rights reserved

Welcome to a Christmas story about an old man. Who' lived in a small town ln the desert. He was very lonely and lived by himself. He was very healthy. Tall and thin. And had looked good for an old man. Despite this, He had taken to drink. And because he lived in a small,

House that reminding him of his loneliness. And he was terrified of being alone. So the old man would buy himself a bottle and walk every day to a nearby park, it was at the end of town. It was a tiny park. With only two small benches, located near a factory. Very few people ever visited the park. And many people who lived in a small town worked at the factory nearby and never went to the park.

But in the middle of this small park, was a huge Christmas tree. It had

been there for many years. But despite this, the tree was very healthy. Much like the old man. Its branches were odium green. Its trunk looked very thick. And the tree Gilson as to suggest its youthful appearance. At the bottom of the tree was a small flat. And it was there that the old man came every day to consume his drink- And then he would fall asleep. When he woke up, he would walk back to the loneliness of his home that, he feared so much. His now-adult children had not spoken to him in years. And many people in this small town did not like the old man. Because of his outspoken political and personal views that were spreading throughout the county.

Every time the old man would sit on the small flat under the tree he thought of Christmas long ago, and the fun he felt back then. And how he loved to decorate the Christmas tree for his kids. And this also reminded him that there was a time when, he was not so lonely, and he was not afraid. These were pleasant times. But the old man now hated Christmas. And hated being alone even worse at Christmas time. Because he had no one to wish him a Merry Christmas.

But one year something changed. It was four days before

Christmas and the old man went to the park as always. The sky was bright blue. And there was a hint of chill in the air, but not a cloud in the sky. As usual on this day the old man set on the small flat under the old Christmas tree. But when the old man fell asleep he began to dream. For he had many dreams before. But this dream was different. He started dreaming about the Christmas tree. And he dreamed that the

Tree Started to talk to him. "why do you sit under me" asked the tree. The old man replied I am an old man, and I have no one in which to spend Christmas. Oh is that all said the tree. Look at me for I am an old Christmas tree. And even thus my branches are full.

and my color is bright, no one comes to see me' And every Christmas no one decorates me.' will You decorate me" asked the tree, and we may spend Christmas together. Suddenly the old man awoke from the dream. And as he was walking home he had an idea He would go door to door asking people in this small town to come and help him decorate the Christmas tree. But since many people did not like the old man' they would not listen or simply said no. So the old man went home' The next day the old man went to his linen closet and pulled down from the top shelf, an old box. The box was dusty and faded and had been there for many years. But in the box were all kinds of Christmas decorations that the old man had saved from Christmas past. Times when he was not alone and he decorated Christmas trees for himself and others and his kids, so he took the box and his bottle and went to the park and decorated the old Christmas tree.

There were many decorations in the box, some tinsel and even a roll of garners. It was not enough to decorate the whole tree. And even the fact that the old man was tall and had long arms' He could not reach the top of the tree. After this had been done, he fell asleep like always under the tree. He again had another dream about speaking to the Christmas tree. Look he said l have put decorations on you. It's not much, but it is all l have. It's ok said the tree, and even though it is little, it means much to me, and we will spend Christmas together. Oh yes said the old man.

After he had woke up, he Was Very excited. And Christmas Was only two days away. The next day the old man went to the park as always. But someone had taken all of the decorations on the tree and rip and broke them. The old man agrees. He drinks fell asleep and again began to dream. "I am sorry the old man said to the tree" But someone has ruined the decorations. It's ok, said the tree. You gave me a moment of happiness, and we will spend Christmas together. Oh yes, the old said.

As he awoke from the dream, he said to the tree l will be back tomorrow Christmas Eve. And the old man went home. In this small town of only 1,300 people, everyone, new everyone. And they had heard what had happened to the old mans decorations and wondered how anyone could be so cruel. The next day was Christmas Eve and the old man went to the park as always. But this time the old man did not bring a bottle.

I am going to spend some of Christmas Eve with the Christmas tree. Then I will go home and sleep. So the old man spent that afternoon with the Christmas tree; it was nearing dark; the sun was falling behind the small mountains that surrounded the small town. So the old man decided it was time to go home. He said marry Christmas to the Christmas tree and headed down the road that would take him home As he was walking; he began to see headlights coming towards him, coming towards the park. Behind them, many people were coming with candles lit. Parents, and children, of all ages. The cars had boxes, and boxes full of Christmas lights and extension cords. Trucks came with ladders and poles to reach the tree. And the people and kids alike. Carrying with them boxes of Christmas decorations. And they gathered around and decorated the tree. Once done, they ran extension cords, from the nearby factory to light up the Christmas tree. The old man turned and started his walk towards home.

Then a small but firm woman's voice asked the old man, where are you going old man? The old man turned and said home. To spend Christmas alone. Then the woman walked up to him and wrapped her arm gently around the old man's neck as if to indicate a tempting hug. Not tonight said the woman, tonight you will spend Christmas with us. And tomorrow you will come and have Christmas dinner with my family and l. 5o the old man and all the people all sang Christmas carols well into the night. And parted in good spirits.

The next day the old man spent Christmas with the woman and her family. After that, he never was alone and never feared to be alone again. And every Christmas he would spend it with someone in the small town. And every Christmas the townspeople would decorate the Christmas Tree. Years later when the old man died. A special plaque was put in place on the flat under the Christmas tree, where the old man sat. It simply read "to the old man who taught us the true meaning of Christmas. And the true meaning of this Christmas tree." The end.