Disclaimer: I do not own The Christmas Box.
I looked up from my workbench as the little bell rang, signaling that a costumer had come into my shop. Standing before me was a woman, no more than twenty-eight. She was robed entirely in black and her face was all red. It looked as if she had been crying.
"Can I help you, ma'am?" I asked politely.
"Yes." The woman said. "Could you make me a box?"
"Sure. What dimensions?" I picked up my notepad and pencil, ready to scribble down whatever the woman told me.
"Make it large enough to fit a sheet of stationary inside. Size doesn't really matter to me. I just have one request: the box must be special." That didn't give me much to work off of. I tried to coax the woman to tell me more.
"Do you want something carved in it? What materials should I use?"
"Carve it from walnut, she always loved walnut trees." The woman started to get excited as she let her imagination run wild. "Perhaps the hinges could be in the form of holly leaves. Put two leather straps horizontally across the lid." Then she got an idea. "And be sure to carve a scene of the nativity on it. I want Mary looking lovingly over a baby Jesus, who lies in a manger and Joseph should be watching over them protectively. The magi should be kneeling before the young king, their heads bowed and their gifts in their hands. Also, add a shepherd beside the magi. Be sure that the angels and the star of Christmas jubilantly overlook the scene." The woman breathed heavily as she calmed down.
I smiled and said, "Ill make you your box."
I worked day and night on the box, knowing what a unique piece it was. This woman was different than any other client I'd had. One could tell how much this box meant to her. When the woman returned to pick up her finished box, I could see the tears welling up in her eyes. She whispered a name and left my shop. My heart went out to the woman, and I wish her all the luck in the world.
Fin
A/N: Please R&R!