This story was written for the 2017 Advent Calendar – Day 21

Summary:  Tears of disappointment turn into a lesson of compassion for a brother.

Rating:  G   720 words

Now when they had seen Him,
they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child.

 

Christmas Time
  ~~by Indiana

Adam was working in the barn since a few minutes, when a strange noise drawn his attention.

Adam continued to brush Sport, when he heard yet the sound.

Someone was crying.

Softly, Adam climbed towards the hayloft, and seen his little brother, sitting in a corner, knees against his chin.

-“Joe, why are you crying? Is because of Pa?”

Joe did not answer, and even did not look at his brother. Well, I have to be diplomatic with him.

-“Joe, how can you cry at this period of the year? You love this time before Christmas, thinking to the gifts and…”

Adam’s words intensified the tears of Joe. Well, Bravo big brother, do you speak about to be tactful in your approach of this poor little brother? Great result, you can be proud of you.

-“Well, you know Joe, sometimes problems seem very difficult,  but with a good analysis you will see there is always a solution. And you know I’m good to solve problems. I can help you, I’m sure of this.”

Joe, this time, looked at Adam. His eyes were red and swelled.

-“Adam, I lost my silver dollar. Pa gave me it 1month ago, telling me I could buy gifts. I lost it. How I can offer gifts without money? How? “

-“You lost it or you spent it?”

-“I….the result is the same, Adam.”

-“Maybe the result is the same, Joe. But my solution will be different if you lost it by accident, or if you spent it for a reason or another. Do you understand what I mean, Joe?”

Adam looked at Joe, aged of 8 years old. Joe was a spoiled child, and the most of the time Joe and Him, had a lot of conflicts. The difference of age made their relationships difficult. But Adam loved this little boy more than it was possible to tell. However, it was time for Joe to learn lesson to become more responsible.

-“I understand Adam. Once again I forgot the purpose, and I acted without thinking to the others, but just my own pleasure. Now I would like to be in the past and not having bought these candies for Kathy and her sister, and neither this big bag of marbles to share with Mitch”.

Adam suddenly watched his brother differently. His generosity surprised him, he had to admit it.

-“you are less selfish that  I thought Joe. Why did you share with your friends?”

-“You know, Kathy and her little sister have rarely the possibility to eat candies, because their mother is all alone to raise them. They lost their father last year, when you were yet in Boston. And for the marbles, I gave the half to Mitch, because currently his parents have no luck with their farm, and not enough money to buy futilities like marbles. I thought it was a good idea to buy these things, since Pa gave me the dollar. But I forgot my family and the gifts for Christmas”.

-“But you were in the spirit of Christmas Joe,  by sharing with your friends in need. Don’t you think?”

-“you’re not mad at me, Adam “

-“Maybe i’m going to surprise you but I’m proud of you Joe. Since I’m back I thought you were a little “brat”, selfish. And now I have another look on you. You grow up, and you become a good boy, Joe.”

Joe stood up and came towards Adam. Adam opened his arms and hugged his brother.

-“I am not very nice with you Adam, and I know that. But I love you, and I’m glad you’re home now. I promise to be better”.

Adam put his right hand in his pocket.

-” Look Joe, I have a silver dollar. I won it, Saturday even…well no matter.  It’s for you. I hope you will find nice presents for Hoss and Pa”.

-” And for you, Adam. Thank you very much.”

-“you’re welcome, Joe”.

Since this moment in the barn, they made widely know they loved each other, to their father satisfaction (at least the most of the time).

THE END

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Links to the 2017 Advent Calendar – Day 22 – Christmas Magic by Cheaux

 

 

Tags:  Adam Cartwright, Joe / Little Joe Cartwright