*The Value of Silver*
It was Christmas Eve, and New York City had never looked more magnificent. Lights sparkled from the trees lining the streets, carols were playing in every store, and soft, cold snow flurries speckled the sky. Not everyone was in the holiday spirit however. Throughout the crowded streets walked one who positively despised Christmas. Strutting down Time Square he found himself frowning at the cheerful exuberance of passersby.
'Gah, I hate this time of year', Silver thought grumpily as he made his way home. 'Everybody acting all lovey-dovey and buyin' each other presents. Hah!' He grimaced as a snowflake melted on his nose. 'All a bunch a hooey if you ask me! Why waste money on someone else when you can spend it on yourself?' He smiled at the thought of his huge apartment, filled with all the most luxurious items he could buy. Between all the bank robberies and lottery ticket frauds he had pulled off, he had become one of the richest men…well…mammals in the city. He took pride in the fact that he has descended from the Himalaya's; that he was the last of his kind. But the thought made him nervous as well. If he didn't make a name for himself, who would? Despite being surrounded by his witless goons almost at all times, he found it hard to depend on anyone but himself. 'It's just me, myself, and I' He thought, shivering from the chilly winter air as he walked into Central Park. He pulled his very expensive fur coat closer to his body, trying to keep out the cold.
Suddenly something on one of the benches caught his eye. It was a person covered in a ratty old blanket. Silver wrinkled his nose in disgust. 'Great, just what I need. A dead guy on a park bench.' Out of curiosity he poked him with his cane. Almost at once the person opened their eyes and looked at him. He almost fell over with shock. It was a girl! Her lips were slightly blue from the cold, and her long dark hair was laced with snow. From the look of it, she had been out there for hours. Without a word, he turned around and began walking away. Quickly. Getting tangled up in something like that was not a good idea. Who knew if she had any diseases, or if she was some drug addict? But as he trudged home he couldn't get her eyes out of his mind. They seemed so innocent…and full of sadness. He stopped. They reminded him of HIM before he had let money and wealth take over his soul. He realized it was the first time he had actually felt alive in a very long time. He closed his eyes, trying to hold on to that feeling…that feeling of warmth he hadn't felt in so long. He sighed. 'Boy, I just KNOW I am gonna regret this…' He turned around and began walking back over to her. She was still looking at him. He couldn't believe how beautiful she was. He crouched down next to the bench.
'What are ya doin' out here, girlie?' She didn't respond. 'Ya got anywhere to go? Anyone to take care of ya?'
She shook her head slowly. He sighed again. 'Well,' he said softly, 'do ya wanna come home with me?'
She stared at him for a moment, taking him in. It was the first time in a long time that anyone had been kind to her. Then with a hint of a gentle smile, she nodded slowly. Without another word he took off his fur coat and wrapped it around her, scooping her up in his arms in the process.
"Well, I'll be," he said to her with a smile as we walked slowly towards his flat, with her still in his arms. "Looks like I got myself a Christmas present after all!" He chuckled as she smiled and nuzzled up against his white furry beard. Twilight settled softly across the city's horizon, and as Silver headed home with his new companion tucked away warmly in his arms, he realized that he wasn't alone any longer