Hi there, friends! To celebrate our winter and Christmas issue, here’s a little story about wishes and gifts: In the faraway land of Kichmugchur, children sat around glowing fires, wondering what they would wish for that year. They believed that the Spirit of Winter, a great wooshing gust of snow, would pass by their homes and grant the wishes of a lucky few. That night, three siblings, Rita, Bintu and Bela made their wishes. Each one was determined to ask for the greatest gift of all. Rita said, “I want a pony as white and shiny as snow!” Bintu said, “I wish I had a jar of cookies that would fill up as soon as I’d finished it!” But Bela was thoughtful. After a few moments, she whispered, “I wish I have a reason to smile even when I don’t always get the things I want.” Rita and Bintu giggled. What a silly wish to make! But the Spirit of Winter was listening closely and smiled to itself before wooshing away into the night. The next morning, Bintu was amazed to see a large jar of cookies on the kitchen counter—just the way he had imagined it! Later, when the three children were outside shovelling snow, a shiny white pony came trotting up to Rita. Her wish had been granted! Bela looked at her siblings and smiled. “I guess I too got what I wished for,” she said. Many years passed, and Bintu grew sick and tired of cookies, cookies, cookies! So one day, when no one was looking, he nudged the jar. It fell and broke into a thousand pieces. Rita had groomed and ridden her pony, and now it had grown into a horse. But one day, its pen was left open. The horse, a free spirited animal, ran away and Rita was left very sad. As for Bela, she celebrated when things went her way and smiled even when they didn’t. Did you like the story Did you think Bela received the greatest gift of all I’d love to know your thoughts. Do write to me on digest.editorack-media.com!