.:|{Thawing The Frozen Lives}|:. ~Merry Christmas~

It was just another winter morning for town Valasa, where people never have taken much note to the calendar, as they knew their lives will never get over the usual course...the usual suffering, the usual deprivation, the usual hopelessness and above all...the usual fate.

Lives were gloomy and the lights of festival never could overrun it...
But Simmi was different among them. Always, she wanted to win over their ill fate.

"Mummy, can we celebrate Xmas this year? Please?." she asked her mother who was stitching a torn blouse which has already been re-stitched several times.

" No dear, we can't afford that..."

"But mummy.."

"Don't argue with me! You know its a luxury for us..we can't even think of it!" her voice raised and it was harsher this time.

"I'm sorry Mummy. I didn't want to hurt you..I just wanted to...wanted to..." then her voice gave in.

Her mother hugged her as tears rolled down from her eyes.

They're interrupted by a voice outside. "Is there anyone here? Can you come out please? We need help."

Simmi and her mother came out & found a big group of 11 unknown people were standing outside, all looked so tensed and hopeful at the same time."Yes?" simmi's mother answered.

"We were going to nearby city but lost our way & ended up here." said one of them.

"Ohh..you won't have any transport at the night and there's no hotel here. You can see this a small town where mostly poor people dwell. No tourists come here."

The travellers' faces dropped but soon lit up with smiles when simmi said "No problem, you all can stay here tonight." Her mother gazed her hesitantly.

"Don't worry we've our foods and beddings with us. We just need a roof."

Simmi's mother smiled weakly now " this is a old abandoned house. No one lives here so we and few poor families like us are allowed to stay. See if you can find any suitable place.."

"Thank you so much. We'll manage with this." they said grinning.
After having dinner they all gathered together to discuss their plan for which they came. "I can't really wait anymore to get into the city tomorrow. They have arranged grand Christmas party there & we're stuck here." Abhishek pouted.

"I'm already dreaming of the foods.. Yum yum!" said Roshni dreamily.

"Guys we should do something to thanks these people, to bring a smile on these kids' face instead of celebrating at the city. Shall we plan a surprise for them?", Titli asked.

"Yeah, I agree, let's plan a surprise for these kids. If we succeed this will be our true Christmas celebration", Sandhya spoke.

All of them nodded in agreement and started the preparations. The prepared invitation cards for the kids. Tani sneaked into the kids' houses at night and placed the invitation beside them.

She giggled as the children had no clue what was coming for them!

Decorating a house in anticipation of Christmas is almost as f u n as
o p e n i n g p r e s e n t s on Christmas morning. Decorating gives the
s p i r i t of Christmas and adds f e s t i v e flair and c h e e r to the these underprivileged children.

The travellers decided to decorate the community ground themselves for the children , in a place where there are no gift shops they used basic school supplies to decorate the community ground!

For m a n y y e a r s trees decorated with o r n a m e n t s and l i g h t s have been a part of Christmas festivities. Christmas tree, called e v e r g r e e n t r e e s, wreaths and garlands are s y m b o l s of everlasting l i f e. But these underprivileged kids would never have had the chance to see all this! So the group of travellers took this as an o p p o r t u n i t y to let these children experience the joy of an actual Christmas!
So they sneaked out of Simmi's house and started preparing for the day.
It was surely hard finding ornaments for the tree nearby, but, that did not stop them. With basic s c h o o l s u p p l i e s and materials, they started d e c o r a t i n g the Christmas Tree.

To start off, we created the p a p e r r i b b o n s, which will be strapped across the T r e e from the top to the bottom in a circular motion. With the ribbon, we created b o w s. Bows represents b o n d of g o o d w i l l that
ties everyone t o g e t h e r , forever.

C o l o u r f u l beads help form v a r i e t y of ornaments. With

b e a d s attached to the m e t a l strings, various star styled ornaments were created.

A Christmas Tree is i n c o m p l e t e without a s t a r. The star, placed on t o p of the tree was s h i n i n g brightly.

Created by basic school s u p p l i e s , white paper and scissors, paper snowflakes is made by folding piece of paper several times, then cutting
out a p a t t e r n with scissors and later u n f o l d i n g it. These

s n o w f l a k e s will be spread across the room to give a

t r a d i t i o n a l seasonal image and to represent W h i t e C h r i s t m a s.

It's hard to think of Christmas without the p r e s e n c e of

c a n d l e s. They were spread across the grounds.

As a final touch, v a s e s were filled with f l o w e r s and were placed on the dining t a b l e.

It was surely a b e a u t i f u l s i g h t. The village l i t up with b r i g h t c o l o u r s , but, not as bright as the s m i l e s it would bring the children.

Next morning all the children of the town met the strangers. Some were eager, some were dubious, some were scared while rest had no feelings at all.

One of the children interrupted,before the travelers could say something "Are you going to give us food or money?"

"No. I'm going to give u knowledge..knowledge about Christmas", Hridey spoke up

Deepu asked "What will we do knowing about the event which only rich people can celebrate?"

"I wish we could celebrate like them too!" Rajan said in a low voice.

"Kids, this year you are gonna experience something really new! ",Titli said with a warm smile.

"What will we have to do?" they were totally boggled. This was the last thing they has expected.

"Nothing much. For now, it's time for a Christmas tale!", Sahana told.

"Long time ago in Bethlehem, the Holy Bible says

Mary's boy child Jesus Christ was born on Christmas day"

"Christmas is a festival celebrated on the birth of Jesus Christ. A festival celebrated when winter arrives. Here, Christmas trees are decorated with lights ornaments and much more! People spend the day singing Christmas carols, Yummy food is prepared and moreover alot of gifts are recieved! And who gives these gifts? Santa Claus! "

"Wow Santa Claus! I wish I could see him!", Deepu said,excited.

Just then a big fat man, dressed in a red costume with a white beard tapped Deepu's back.

"HO HO HO Christmas is here!"

The little lips curled to build up smiles and their eyes sparkled with amusement.

Santa: Follow me children!

The Santa took the children to the decorated area.

Suddenly, the lights turned off.

Deepu: Santa! Where did you go?

Rukhsana: Was that the real Santa? I've heard that Santa lives in the far away northlands.

Rajan: Maybe it's the fake Santa! We have been called out by the fake Santa to relieve the dark? I mean... *interrupted by a strange voice*

The spotlights go on. Everyone looks at the stage. Eyes fill up with excitement. Frost on. The entire setup is portraying the pole. Suddenly...

"Maybe I don't have a magic touch
And maybe I don't have a talent as such.
Just this heart with much too much to share,
So I'll never be the heir, but I'm more than just a spare!"

Ho...Ho...Ho... My children! There is no fake, no true. Everything lies in your mind only.

The young and innocent faces are mesmerized by seeing Santa again. Their eyes glimmer and all ears hearing each and every word with outmost concentration.

Children! Do you know what Christmas is all about?

Deepu: We didn't but our dear Hrideyy told us about it. He told us about the legend of Jesus and mother Mary, why we celebrate Christmas and what all we do in Christmas.

Rajan: Yes! He told us that we celebrate Christmas to commemorate the birth of Lord Jesus. This holy festival tells us that god is always there for us and he always comes to our rescue whenever we think of him with a pure heart.

Santa: My Children! Christmas is not only about the Lord's incarnation. It's much more than that. It reminds us of our duties towards our family, our country and to the whole society. It tells us that a man's true jewels are his virtues, his truth and his honesty. Most importantly, this festival is for bringing smiles. Even me! I also gift children all over the world, watch over them the whole year but I don't get tired. Why? Because a smile of theirs soothes all my pain away. See this amazing story of how a young girl, Anna, celebrated her Christmas in a true and inspirational manner.

Santa disappears and then the stage turns into a polar scene where there is a cottage and there are some sorts of noise coming from there.

No...this can't happen. Not this year again.

Kristoff: What happened? Why are you crying so loudly and what's the strange smell coming from?

Anna: Can you even think of what just happened?

Kristoff: I'm no wizard nor I have any magical powers to know anything if you don't tell me. *annoyed*

Anna: Is it a time to joke? You know...my cake just burnt out!!!

Kristoff: What?! Do you know we had only a few ingredients left to do the cake?

Anna: I know. I have done all the cakes but don't know how but the last one spoiled..! Nor we have any ingredients left to finish it up. Time is also passing. We have only an hour left to leave for the town!

Kristoff: Ya,I know. So, what do we do now?

Anna: I don't know. I have made as many cakes. I don't think it will short out.

Kristoff: I too wish the same or else a child will be deprived of cake which we distribute between the cute and innocent children every year on Christmas.

Anna: Nothing will happen like that. Now just hurry up or else we will be late.

The scene shifts to a small village where Kristoff and Anna are shown distributing cakes.

Anna: Phew! All's done.

Kristoff: Now, let's get back to home.

Anna: Yeah!

They are getting back to their village where they see a small girl weeping. They go there.

Anna: *consoling the child* Hey, what happened?

Kristoff: Why are you crying and out in this chilly weather?

Girl: *stopping crying* I live in the nearby town. My parents passed away previous year. I just saw some children making merry in their homes, celebrating with their parents. I feel so lonely.

Anna: Oh! *pauses* don't cry and here we have something for you...

She checks inside her bag to get a cake but...

Anna: Kristoff, you were right. There isn't any down there...

Kristoff: What? I said you, right! Now?

Anna: *turning sad, she starts thinking something* Ermmm... Kristoff, will you come with me for a moment?

Kristoff: OK, sure.

They reach a sufficient distance from the girl...

Anna: Don't you think we should take this girl with Elsa? She will make her happy and this way, she will also get a smile on her face this Christmas. After all, we can't leave even a single child sad today!

Kristoff: You're right! But don't you think she'll get terrified or will run away in fear?

Anna: *sarcastically* only you can do so. Can anyone get terrified from Elsa? She's so nice!

Kristoff: OK, OK. Do what you want. I'm going to home to prepare the dinner. But yes, do come soon.

Anna: Yes! I'll come soon. And take this empty bag with yourself.

She gives him the bag of cake and he leaves. Anna goes to the girl.

Anna: Hey! What's your name?

Girl: Blossom.

Anna: Oh! So Blossom, do you want to have some fun with me?

Girl: Really, do you truly want to have fun with me? *A tear falls down*

Anna: Of course! And if you won't stop your teary tank, then I'll leave right now.

Girl smiles and wipes her tears away.

Anna: Yes! This is some good. Smile like this always. *in her ears* Do you know a fairy?

Girl: *amazingly* Whoa! Do you?

Anna: Yes! And I'm taking you to her. She will make your Christmas the happiest one.

They walk along.

Girl: What can she do?

Anna: She can do anything. She is an ice-fairy. She can lower down your age. She can turn you into me and much more.

Suddenly she stops and opens out a book from her pocket.

Anna: Where the frozen castle lie, Elsa calls us by.

They disappear and the scene shifts to an icy castle. A magnificent princess-like girl is standing.

Anna: Elsa!

Elsa: Anna! Meeting after such a long time. Last time you came to request an icy sword for a child to play with.

Anna: Oh! What can I do?! There is lots of work to do and Kristoff also does not help me.

Elsa: You're like that only. You always employ yourself in bring smiles to the children. You can't see a weeping face. And come on, Kristoff is a nice guy.

Anna: OK, OK. Look I've brought a pretty girl with me. *sees back but there's no one*

She moves her eyes around the floor and sees that Blossom is amazed by seeing such a huge castle.

Anna: Oh! There you are. Come here, Blossom!

She comes to her.

Anna: Elsa, this is Blossom and Blossom, she is Elsa, my fairy friend. I met her when I was young and she was also. She always makes everyone happy and it is her work to do. When I met her, I was weeping as my leg got hurt. But then she came and rubbed her hand on my wound and all my pain vanished. From then, we are friends.

Blossom: *stuttering* H-e-y-y!

Elsa: Oh, she's so cute. Not to fear me, Blossom.

Anna: Shes sad. So, I brought her to you Elsa. Cheer her up. I don't want to see her weep and that too, on Christmas.

Elsa: Not to worry about. I shall certainly make her have fun here.

Anna disappears.

Elsa: Come along with me, Blossom.

Then they move inside a hall and they have a lot of fun. Elsa makes her build a snowman. She does the snowfall. They have snow fight and much more.

The scene again shifts to the first one. Santa shows up.

Santa: So children! You must have understood now that Christmas is for celebration but without hurting others. It is a festival of having and sharing smiles. It is...

Suddenly, the beard drops.

Santa: O! O!

Deepu: So Santa's real name is Abhi? And Santa is a young boy!

Everyone laughs.

Following this, all other 10 also show up on the stage.

Taani: Guys! So now you must have known that this was all our plan. But the main thing is still left.

Sahana: Yes! We've got a surprise for you...

Roshni goes and switches something on the side of stage. And...

All the lights go on and everyone is carried about in the beautiful and bright view of the entire ground. Their eyes widened on seeing the amusing sight of the ground, beautifuly lit up and decorated.

The children had their fun throughout, singing carols, enjoying their hearts out!

Christmas without presents, Isn't so pleasant

Gifts give joy, be it for a girl or a boy

But for them it's happiness

Once in a lifetime.

The travellers are here to bring a smile on their lonely faces, to share presents and happiness.

To erase the pain and gift them joy and ecstasy this Christmas.

The travellers picked out the gifts one by one and distrivuted them among the kids

Books: It is said that Books wash away from the soul the dust of everyday life. What are Books? The pages with flowing words bounded together. Isn't it a joy to read and further more to gift? A book is always a pleasure in leisure. Let the joy reach the purest souls. Anyone who read a book as a child knows the value of a good piece of literature. Whether it's a fictional story, a biographical piece with lessons from history or an inspirational one or something very different, books have the spark to generate curiosity, introduce innovation and open the doors for opportunity.

So aren't Books a great choice for the Christmas reads? A chance for the frozen hearts to acknowledge, the importance for knowledge?

Toys: Childhood's constant companions are the toys, but in those dark cells there are none to talk to, none to laugh at and none to play with. Every Christmas we had lots of toys to play with, but they have none. This Christmas let's make the children happy. Let's turn their tears into smiles. They would love a soft teddy bear or a Car, a Barbie or a Robot. Won't their beaming faces, make you proud?

Clothes: We have a wardrobe full of too many clothes. But they have only a pair of tatters to wear every day. Clothes of many types, many sizes they would love to wear. A pant and shirt for a boy and for girls you have a variety of ranges from frocks to Indian to western. They would love them all. So aren't they a cool way of gifting this Christmas

Chocolates: The first thing which comes out of your hungry mouths, when you hear chocolate is Yummy', Delicious', I just love them'. But for them when basic necessities aren't available chocolates are a boon. Their mouth water's seeing their friends having one. But there is none to be told. Pitying won't help, a chocolate doesn't cost more than Rupees five or so but for them it's a joyous fest. So I don't think you would mind gifting them chocolate boxes this Christmas. Would you?

Handmade cards: What can make the kids happier than a card made by you? Their faces will surely beam with the joy of your present. Tuck a few gift cards in decorative sacks and then hand them to the young brigade, they would surely love your gift. What would be more valuable for them than your heart felt Christmas wishes?

Balloons: You love balloons because you love the birds flying in the air. Balloons they can touch the skies. They teach us to fly up without fears. Let's fill the frozen hearts with the joy of balloons. Nobody can be uncheered with a balloon. How much would they cost? Not much, not more than their gleaming faces

Games: As soon as the holidays start, we have lots of games to play. We all love playing this games in times of leisure. What about gifting the young souls, a chess board to test their intellect, a game of life' or a skate board this Christmas? Arriving in different forms, they would be easily available. The children would surely love them all.

Candles: What happens when there's no electricity for a day? We panic, it's impossible for us to spend a day without light, but for them every day is dark and every night their homes have no light. Gifting them candles this Christmas won't just lighten their homes, but also their hearts. Let the light shine every day in their hearts.

So won't lighting candles embark their journey towards light? Won't they help driving away the darkness of ignorance from their lives? So what about gifting them candles? Cheap and worthy too.

Art set: Gifting art sets this season would add to the fun of Christmas. Painting is enjoyable for all children irrespective of the place they are born. This Christmas let's fill the lives of those children with colors of joy and paints. They would surely love an art set to fulfill their dream canvas.

Flower bouquet: If you find nothing at last, flower bouquets are the best to gift the kids. As kids surely love plucking flowers. They are available in a variety of shapes; sizes, colors and each one of them have a distinct smell. The flowers would fill the kids' heart with fragrance and love. Would teach them to grow through thick and thin. So even though you buy a flower bouquet, it would surely be a blissful day for the kids.

So do give gifts this Christmas, however big or small, the manner of giving is more important than the gift.

Spread happiness through the young hearts, that's the motto the travelers followed.😆