"Hmph...trees of colored lights? Underneath all of that tinsel and ornaments it's still a tree. Why bother making them...uhg...colorful?" Shadow scoffed as he walked past the Christmas Tree park where trees were being sold. He kicked the snow from under his feet as he walked on. Families were walking home together, looking at all the lights on homes in the late hour. Shadow ignored them all.

He waslked on still, his feet starting to become cold and his hands were jammed into his coat pockets. "Santa? Who the heck came up with such a prank? A lie to children to say a fat man invaded your home and left gifts to kids all over the world? What moronic human came up with that idea?"

He walked through the park, seeing lonely couples walk arm in arm or hand in hand, kissing each other as they walked on into the night. Shadow groaned at the sight. "Who needs someone to love? I got all I need in myself." He kept on walking through the park.

He stared at the white snoy ground as he walked, lost in the thoughts of upcoming Christmas. He was drawn back to reality at the sound of laughter and soft scrapping noises. He looked up, finding himself at the wall of an ice rink. People were skating around, laughing and racing each other. "How does anyone find going around in cirlcles...fun?" He walked on, away from it all.

He found himself on a lonely path. A bench came into view under a street lamp, and he sat down, ignoring the fact that it was feezing cold. He heard small laughter. Looking over he saw a bunch of kids and some adults standing around. The adults were talking while the children exchanged gifts. "This is such a stupid holiday." Shadow said to himself.

He sat for a long while, about to drift to sleep, when a small voice brought him back. "E-excuse me Mr. Hedgehog?" The small quiet voice said.

Shadow looked up. Before him stood a little boy. His clothes weren't as good as the other kids he had seen, and his face was dirty. His hands were cramed in his pockets since he had no gloves. He looked at the boy for a long moment, then back at the group of kids. "It's Shadow...and how come you're not with the others?"

The small boy looked down, ahamed. "They don't like me...because I'm poor." He said.

Shadow looked back at the boy. "Then why are you here? Why not get a gift or whatever?"

The boy looked up at him, a small smile on his face. "Because, Shadow sir, it is better to give than to receive." With that, he pulled his bare hand out of his pocket, and handed Shadow a rather large stone. Shadow looked at the stone, bewildered at how much it shined under the street light. He turned it over, and in faded out marker it read 'Merry X-mas'.

"Why did you give this to me?" Shadow asked still looking at the stone.

"Simple" The child said, "No one should be left out on Christmas."

Shadow looked back at the boy. Something inside of him had sparked. His hear suddenly felt warm and a smile started to break out on his face. He used his free hand to bring the boy in and hug him. The boy hugged back, and a tear ran down both of their faces.

Shadow released the boy, and whispered to him. "Thank you."

The boy's parents, whom were dressed about the same as the boy, came over for him. They looked at Shadow and smiled. "Well, Nick, it seems you found someone to exchange gifts with after all." With that they started to lead their boy away.

The boy turned back to look at Shadow, and with a wave, he yelled out "Merry Christmas Shadow!"

Shadow held the stone tightly in his hand, waving back. "Merry Christmas...Nick...Merry Christmas..."

You never know how much of an affect a single action will have on another person. So do this...always accept people, no matter who they are. You jut may save a life this Christmas.