Mama's Christmas Surprise

by Nadine
(Iowa)



Esther raced into the house and dropped her books on the kitchen table. Then she saw the big J.C. Penney's catalog with the plain brown wrapper. "Oh!" she said excitedly, "Mama's Wish Book! This year you are going to get the gloves you want, Mama! No more wearing your chore gloves to church," she snorted, knowing Mama was outside helping daddy with the milking. Esther had baby sat for a neighbor and saved her allowance all year to get Mama these gloves.

Esther waited impatiently for sleep, until she no longer heard her parents talking. The cuckoo clock chimed 11:00. She padded quietly down the wooden steps and into the living room. She quickly scooped up the catalog lying next to Mama's favorite chair. She hurried back up the stairs, trying to be quiet, hoping no one heard her.

She crawled into bed and yanked the covers over her head. She pulled the flashlight from under her pillow. She prayed that the gloves were there. The gloves that Mama wouldn't buy for herself, because they had had a tough time on the farm the last couple of years. Tears stung her eyes when she saw the gloves, the very same ones that she'd heard her Mama say to Daddy, "Maybe someday, I'll get them."

Esther flipped to the order sheet and read, "Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery." She flashed the light on the calendar. Christmas Eve was exactly 8 weeks from tomorrow. The order had to go in the mail in the morning.

Mama would notice an order sheet was gone, so Esther tore a sheet of paper from her school notebook. She neatly wrote the information about the gloves. Esther knew why her parents had told her math was so important. She figured the tax and postage and tucked it in an envelope.

The next day, Esther watched from her upstairs window, as the cloud of dust approached the lane leading up to their house. She ran out the back door, running just as fast as she could, hoping Mama didn't hear or see her. When Mr. Nichols saw Esther, he pulled his jeep over to the side. "Esther, are you all right?" he asked worriedly. "Yes, I am fine," she said out of breath, but I need to buy a stamp, without Mama seeing me," she said, as she handed him the exact change.

"Umm, J.C. Penney's," said Mr. Nicholas, as he read the address on the envelope Esther handed to him.

"Yes, but please don't tell her. It's a Christmas gift for Mama. It's our secret, O.K?"

With a twinkle in his eye, she watched as Mr. Nicholas' belly shook and his cheeks turned red. She hadn't realized how white his beard was until now. In fact, he reminded her of Santa Claus.

As Esther walked back up the lane, she knew she had to tell Daddy her secret. "You've got to get the mail every day," said Esther quietly, to her dad, as she helped with the milking chores.

"And why might that be?" asked Daddy, with a big grin.

"I have a package coming for Mama and she can't see it."

Every day Esther came home from school, she peeked at Daddy when Mama wasn't looking and he shook his head. As the days turned into weeks, Christmas approached quickly. They cut down a tiny Christmas tree in the back pasture and hung a bright yellow star Grandma had made at the top. Mama popped popcorn and then they strung it in a chain and looped it around the tree. Mama carefully unwrapped all of the homemade ornaments she had made and collected over the years and hung them up on the branches. Christmas Eve arrived and Daddy came back from the mailbox empty handed.

Esther had a tummy ache when she went to bed, because she had nothing to give Mama. She knew Mama would be up late sewing her gifts to put under the Christmas tree.

"Thank you for making this dress, Mama," she said, as she opened the package. "I love it!" She ran to kiss her Mama and hug her. "I'm just so sorry I don't have anything for you."

"That's O.K., Esther. I have you and your Daddy. I don't need any more than that!"

As Mama pulled the apple pies from the oven, Esther began setting the table for Christmas dinner. Then they heard someone pulling up the driveway. Everyone went to the window and saw Mr. Nicholas making his way to the kitchen door, with a package in his hand.

"That has to be Mama's glo..." said Esther, before she realized what she was saying. "Glorious surprise," she finished, quickly.

Mr. Nickolas handed Mama the package. "I believe this is yours," he said with a twinkle in his eye.

Mama looked from Daddy to Esther. She opened the package Mr. Nicholas had given her. Her eyes lit up when she saw the gloves. "Oh, my goodness!" she exclaimed.

"Who's responsible for these?"

"I'd say Santa is," said Esther. "If he hadn't brought the package on Christmas Day, you wouldn't have gotten them."

"Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!" said Mr. Nicholas, with a belly laugh.

It was a Christmas that no one would ever forget.





Comments for Mama's Christmas Surprise

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Apr 09, 2016
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the short story
by: manar abqi s

this story remeberd me about my christmas gift/i love it

Mar 30, 2016
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starstarstarstar
The Christmas present
by: Maryam

Short it nice.☺☺☺☺😊😊🐰. Nice drama




Dec 29, 2015
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What's up
by: Heather

I really like the story Mama's Christmas Surprise.
Love Heather

Dec 04, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar
Amazing
by: Sandin

It is so wonderful!
I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jun 05, 2015
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starstarstarstar
good
by: Shloka

I loved it so much!!!

May 27, 2015
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starstarstarstarstar
WOW
by: Hottie Hottie

I loved it it was a beautiful story it was so cute that a little girl would do such a sweet thing for her mother.

Dec 20, 2014
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Amazing
by: Anonymous

Wow this story is awesome......☺it was great imagination......the Santa part was a tad not funny😆🎅....ha ha ha......and don't forget......Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas everyone🎅😎

Dec 10, 2014
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IT WAS AMAZING
by: Elliot Deuel

that was teriphik andawesoma

Aug 19, 2014
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Perfectoooooooooooooo
by: Anonymous

loved it!!!!!!!!!!

Jul 11, 2013
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starstarstar
Wonderful
by: Sonia.N

The story is short but nice

Mar 03, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar
Perfecto!
by: Anonymous

Great short story. I am doing a writing assessment and used this story as a practice. Great idea!

Mar 02, 2012
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GREAT.
by: DARG

IT IS COOL.

Feb 26, 2012
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MAMA'S CHRISTMAS SURPRISE
by: DEBSHIKHA

IT IS PERHAPS THE PERFECT STORY FOR CHRISTMAS.I LIKE IT.

Feb 21, 2012
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cute
by: Anonymous

i think this was very good

Jan 23, 2012
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The best stories
by: Takoda

I thought that was wonderful. It makes me want to cry. I've been coming to this website for a wile and I've saw lot's of stories.

Jan 02, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar
Mama's Christmas Surprise
by: Darshani N.

A beautifully written, yet simple story - full of emotion. LOVELY!! I really enjoyed it.

Dec 18, 2011
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Good Job
by: Anonymous

Nice! This story is the best so far. This made my day.

Dec 16, 2011
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love
by: Anonymous

this story kind of matches with the night before christmas poem.

Dec 01, 2011
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Mama's Chrismas Surprise
by: andy

I loved this because rigHT WHEN IT WAS CHRISMAS EVE ELTHER THOUGHT HER MOTHER WASN't going to have a present.It was all about a little girl who knows her mom would love the gloves on the catolog.She tries to get them with her money.the mittens are going to come in four weeks.When it is chrismas the package didn't come so Elther thought her present wouldn't come. I love this book!

Dec 01, 2011
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Mama's Christmas Surprise
by: Nathalie

I loved this book becouse it is a loving and very jolly book.I really like the part where mama gets her gloves.I also liked the part where mama's daughter says "It mite be from Santa Claus."This book reminds me of my own life.I really like the end of the book becouse that was the most happiest part of the book to me.

Dec 01, 2011
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Mama's Christmas Surprise
by: Hope Alvion Brown

I think that the story was great and I would like to read another story of it.The story was about a little girl who loves her mom and she wants to give her a very special surprise.This book reminds me of my last Christmas and I remember when I got my greatest present.I love my family and I really really really love this book.

Nov 30, 2011
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mamas christmas suprize
by: scott

I think the story is one of the best christmas stores ever BECAUSE IT HELPS ME KNOW WHAT CHRISTMAS IS AND MAMA WHATED THES GOLVES THAT SHE WHATED FROM CHRISTMAS.

Nov 30, 2011
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MAMAS CHRISTMAS SURPRISE
by: CHANSE

I like this story because its cool and i can make a text to self connection and i like it because it makes sence and its about a mama that can't afford a pair of gloves and she gets them from her kid and thats her christmas present and the whole family will never forget that christmas ever

Nov 30, 2011
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Mama's Christmas Suprise
by: jeremiah

the story was good I like when she open the gloves.

Nov 30, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar
Mama's Chrismas Surprise
by: destiny

the story was great. it was great because a little girl want to gave her mom somthing and when christmas came the mom said thta she dint need a gift and later the gift that the girl order for her mom came and the mom was so thanksful.

Nov 28, 2011
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Mamma's christmas surprise
by: Jerome

I think this is a very good story because
it reminds me of santa.

Nov 28, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar
Mama's Chrismas Surprise
by: Ilsa

I love the story ,becuase I tried to get the pair of earrings and a neckless for my mom.

Nov 28, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar
Mama' Christmas Surprise
by: giovanyiked

I liked it because it was nice of Esther to get his mama a present with her money.

Nov 28, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar
mama's christmas surprise
by: sjock

I liked the story because it was a realistic fiction mixed in with an emotional ending.

Nov 16, 2011
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awesome
by: Anonymous

i loved it

Nov 16, 2011
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awesome
by:

i loved this story i loved the main person it just didnt give many details but i still loved it

Oct 01, 2011
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Excellent!
by: Patricia Moore


I loved your story Mama's Christmas Surprise.
The voice was excellent and I cared about the
main character. Job well done!

Sep 27, 2011
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good
by: lauryn shergold

i think it was good not great because its was all about 1 persons and it should be about everyone

May 01, 2011
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MAMA'S CHRISTMAS SURPRISE
by: JOE$$$$$$$$$$$$!!!!!!!!!!!!

I THOUGHT IT WAS GREAT$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$########%%%%%%%*********(((@@@!!!!!!!!!)))))))############^^^^^^&&&&&&&AWSOME BYE JOE

Jan 20, 2011
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i love it
by: michelle nolan

i really like this short short story because it teaches us that we should always think and thank people who do many things for us.
we should think of people who think about us.we should thankpeople who love you.
i really like the moral of this story!!!!!!!!!!!

Nov 30, 2010
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Well done!!
by: Steve Mathisen

This story is one of the best I have read. I enjoyed it immensely. Thank you for sharing this story Nadine.

Oct 01, 2010
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skillfully written
by: Anonymous



Very well written! The writer did an excellent job!

Sep 17, 2010
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awesome!
by: Laurie

This was one of those short stories where you felt like you were feeling the emotions of the child involved & that you were actually 'living' the story! Lots of heart-felt feelings! I loved it!

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