The Cardboard Box
This particular cardboard box had a pretty picture on it. It once held candies, but now it was tossed out onto the street.
There was a child in this picture. He was surrounded by friends and family, and they were all enjoying candies of every sort. Chocolates. Gum drops. Jellybeans. It was a pretty sight.
The family seemed to be very merry. They sat around a fireplace, eating the candies and stuffing stockings that were nailed to the fireplace. In the background, a Christmas tree glowed with the bright candles and ornaments it was adorned with. And of course, more candies.
The family was not unusual. There was a bright cheery teenager with fiery red hair teasing a youngster, presumably his brother, while stuffing his face with chocolate. A young lady looked on with disgrace as she generously scooped up a helping of jellybeans. The parents were laughing merrily while the elders of the family ate gum drops.
This was the perfect family: all happy and merry. The only thing that was out of place was the excessive amounts of candy. The air seemed to carry a sort of mirth in the picture, and looking at it warmed the heart.
Two people observed this box as they passed by. One went into a store shortly after seeing it. The other moved it into an alley close by.
It started to rain.
He crawled into the box, carrying behind him his only worldly possession: a tiny, torn-up blanket.
Not everyone wants the same thing for Christmas.