Story : Christmas Lists
【明報專訊】Another busy weekend at the Bear family home. Little Sister is making a list of all the presents she wants from Santa: paints and brushes, a big sketchbook, a football.
"When is Santa coming?" she asks her brother.
"On Christmas Eve, the night before Christmas, in just a few days," he replies. "When will your list be ready? Will it get to Santa in time?"
"I hope so. You have a long list too - a list of names. Is that for your Christmas greetings?"
"That's right. I'm sending online greetings to my classmates and teachers. For really good friends, I'm sending them real Xmas cards I made myself!"
He shows her several colourful cards with bright designs, decorated with stars and glitter. She claps her hands and says, "I want to make my own cards too! When can you teach me?"
While the children are making cards, Mother Bear is sorting a pile of coupons. "How much can I save if I use all these coupons? Let me see... This one will get me a 20% discount at Quality First Supermarket on Sunday only. These three coupons will expire in a few days. What can I use them for? To buy food - food is so expensive and our grocery list is extra long for the holiday season."
"Maybe you need to use the computer?" asks Father Bear. "These coupons can be very tricky!"
Father is making a list too - a list of friends and family members who will be receiving an Xmas gift from him. What is Father Bear's gift this Christmas? It's a jar of honey from his own beehive. Yummy!
Mr Bear calls his wife and children and tells them, "We must remember the most important list of all."
"What list is that, Father?" ask the kids.
"A list of the poor and needy. How can we forget them at Christmas time? It's a time to share what we have with those who are not as lucky as we are. What can we give them?"
"We can give them some of our toys and books," say the two young bears.
"I will get some tins of food for them and you can give them some jars of honey," says Mrs Bear. "We also have some warm clothing we can donate. Where should we bring all these gifts?"
"Our local community centre is a good place. It's a convenient point for collecting donations. When should we go?" asks Father Bear.
"Now is the best time!" replies Mother Bear. "I'll get some tins of food from the kitchen."
"I'll get some jars of honey," says Father Bear.
"We'll get our toys and books," say the children.
Together, the family carries several boxes of donations to the community centre. The true spirit of Christmas is sharing and the joy of sharing is the best gift of all.
■Grammar
Do you know how to use "wh" words such as when, what, where, how? Find some examples in the passage.
■Useful vocabulary
"Xmas" is a shorter way of writing "Christmas". The two words are pronounced the same way. X is a symbol for Christ.
To donate: to give something to others who are in need. You can donate many things, including money, food, clothing, medicine, and even blood. Your gift is called a donation.
■Glossary
decorate (v) 裝飾
coupon (n) 優惠券
beehive (n) 蜂巢
convenient (adj) 方便的
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[Smarties' Power English 第362期]
