Christmas charm

Once upon a time… You know what, this beginning is too worn-out, let’s try something new. There was once… And this is way too simple and non-Cambridge vocabulary. Anyways, what I’m trying to tell is that far, far away, in the cold and magical North, somewhere close to Santa’s village, but distant from a Walmart, there lived a boy.

His name was a common one: Charlie. No, not the one with the chocolate factory, because Charlie’s parents were extremely rich. They could afford a grandiose house, flat TVs in every room with subscription to all the streaming services, the latest gadgets, ten cars, and even a pool in the backyard, although it has never been used by reason of the cold weather, therefore, they had to ask an interior architect to build a new one in the basement.

Until this very moment, everything had been only for filling. The essence of the real story begins now. Or it began, because this happened last Christmas, and by the time you read this, it will have already passed.

The family was getting ready for the Holy Dinner, as they liked to call the night before Christmas, when all of them gathered for a 7-course meal and, much to Charlie’s annoyance, to discuss about him soon becoming the new CEO of their company.

Let’s not forget that time elapsed, and from the little, sparkling-eyed boy, Charlie grew into an 18-year-old, non-enthusiastic, bored, and kind of irritating teen, which you might not feel through the narration. To his defense, he had a reason to shield himself behind this abominable mask! He has never had a happy childhood despite the unimaginable amount of money. An essential part of every kid’s life has been missing from the puzzle: the belief in magic.

Perhaps they were the most pathetic family ever, because Santa had always avoided their home. I am sure (and they were also sure) that everyone would ask the obvious question: why? I mean, who the hell is rejected by Santa Claus?! Guess what, Charlie’s father had simply told him not to go to them, as he would never be able to bring such expensive gifts as their family could afford. Boastful, but true. The poor man had no idea, though it may sound banal, that Christmas had never been about the brand of the present you get, but about the love it was given with. Note: If you get an ugly sweater you’re sure you’ll never even look at, just say thank you and try not to immediately get rid of it.

Where was I? Right. So, they had been sitting around the table, when a knock had been heard. The housekeeper jumped loyally to open the door, where a person with a gender-unrecognizable attire and an enormous backpack stood. He/she was shivering and asked on a high-pitched voice whether they could enter the house after they had wiped their feet properly, which no one understood, ‘cause the sound of his teeth clenching together from the freezing cold.

I don’t think it’s necessary to unfold the rather awkward situation that had been the following: the parents interrogated everything from the – as it turned out – boy, who introduced himself as Theo, had the same age as Charlie, came from an unwealthy, caring family, he was still a child from the inside, his latest present was that bag, his father had an income equal to a factory worker and he was trying to find Santa’s village when he got completely lost. Charlie tried very hard to look unimpressed and spectacularly failed. His jaw dropped when he heard that Theo had been travelling over the country for half a year now all by himself, meanwhile, Charlie was never let to visit even the nearest village without a chaperon.

Long story short, the evening passed quickly, and everybody went to bed, including Theo, who was given a whole room. Nevertheless, it seemed to be a sleepless night for the other teen… Sleep bypassed him, and the only thing he could think about was how unfair life had been for him. Throughout the years, he had never seen Santa’s Christmas village, although he lived nearby, and this stranger came only for this reason.

That’s it, he couldn’t stand this anymore. He got up, tiptoed through the hallway, down the stairs and… Theo’s door opened. There he stood, fully dressed, with his backpack ready. After the silence of surprise passed, Charlie dared to ask where he was heading.

“I found an old map here, indicating the way to the village. I can’t sleep, and I try to do something useful. I didn’t want to bother you anymore, I wanted to get away in the night when I bumped into you.” Theo shut up and tilted his head.

“Uhm, I see it’s my turn to explain. Firstly, I couldn’t sleep either. Then I thought about your tales. I can’t believe you saw more sights in my homeland than I did! I came to the realization that this had to be changed. You seem to be a very experienced wanderer. I read somewhere that a good company is important on a first trip.”

“Mate, are you trying to ask if you could come with me?”

“Is it that obvious?”

“Pretty much, yes. But I’m glad I succeeded in making the great lackadaisical future CEO get interested in my little adventures.”

“Just don’t feel too overweening.”

They both laughed as if they had been good, old friends before. And albeit they didn’t find the village that night, they were gifted with something more precious: friendship. Yes, yes, the ending is rushed, but what more should I share with you? How they got chased by a Yeti? How a reindeer attacked them? How a Santa’s-little-helper type of dwarf sent them home because they didn’t have the permission to enter his cave in the snowstorm? These are way too ordinary things and don’t need to be mentioned.

Moral: Kids, open the door for the weird ones who still believe in magic. Don’t let the smart-boots rule in your fantasy land. And never, like never decline Santa Claus...

Balázs-Blénessi-Pataki Kincső IX. R